Under the Ministry of National Development’s Grassroots Organisation Scheme (GRO), eligible grassroots leaders who have performed 3 years of continuous and active service can apply for HDB BTO flats and ECs in their constituency. The flats they apply for must fall within the boundary of the town council they volunteer in.

The Grassroots Organisation Scheme

In February 2015, the Government justified the GRO by stating that it allows experienced grassroots leaders to “act as catalysts for community bonding”.

As new communities and estates will be formed in BTO clusters and ECs, through the GRO, the Government can tap on grassroots leaders to start new grassroots organisations and activities.

On average, 42 Grassroots Leaders obtain flats through GRO each year

During the Parliamentary sitting on 3 October 2022, Workers’ Party MP Leon Perera sought data from the government on the number of grassroots leaders who benefited from the GRO in the last 5 years.

In particular, Leon Perera asked for a breakdown of those who have benefitted by obtaining BTO flats and ECs respectively.

Edwin Tong, the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and the Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association (PA), revealed that an average of 42 grassroots leaders obtained their flats through the grassroots organisation scheme each year in the past 5 years.

However, Edwin Tong did not provide the specific breakdown requested for by Leon Perera.

Mr Tong added that less than 0.1.% of grassroots leaders utilise this scheme.

An increase in number of GROs utilising scheme

In 2016, the then Deputy Chairman of the PA, Mr Chan Chun Sing shared that, in the 10 years preceding 2016, an average of 28 grassroots leaders utilised the GRO scheme each year.

Based on the replies in Parliament in 2016 and 2022, it appears that the number of grassroots leaders utilising the scheme to obtain their flats has increased.

From 2006 to 2016, an average of 28 grassroots leaders utilised the scheme each year to obtain their flats. From 2017 to 2022, this number has increased to 42.

Reactions to the GRO scheme

Many Singaporeans may not be aware of the GRO scheme and the perks that one may receive as a result of being a grassroots leader.

In 2017, Workers’ Party’s Gerald Giam brought a door hanger which listed the perks of being a grassroots leader to the attention of the internet.

In addition to the GRO, the door hanger also referenced the Primary One Registration Scheme under Phase 2B and car parking.

“Seen during house visits today. I suppose there’s no need to be subtle anymore eh?” – Gerald Giam

Mr Giam’s post, which was shared more than 350 times, did not sit well with many people. A number of commentators on Facebook were of the view that volunteers should not receive perks.

Other perks of being a Grassroots Leader

Based on a gov.sg article from February 2015, the other benefits of being a grassroots leader include parking and primary one registration.

In respect of parking, grassroots leaders may apply for a special parking label which allows them to park at designated car parks in the areas that they volunteer in until 11pm. Grassroots leaders who do not live in HDBs may buy a valid HDB monthly season parking label at a discounted rate.

Grassroots leaders with 2 years of continuous and active service under their belt can apply for Primary One registration for their children in schools within the areas they reside in.

Being a grassroots leader sure does have its perks.

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