1. Seventeen community-led projects will be piloted to help rough sleepers move towards stable housing, rebuild support networks and strengthen their connection with family and the community. Supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development's (MSF) Partnership to Tackle Homelessness (PATH) Fund, the projects reflect a shared commitment by the Government and community partners to develop better ways of supporting people experiencing homelessness achieve stability and reintegrate into the community.
2. The projects include new approaches to outreach, employment support, housing stability, social reintegration and youth support. Together, they reflect a preventive approach to addressing homelessness by helping people access support earlier to avoid being entrenched to rough sleeping. These projects also recognise that helping someone move out of rough sleeping is not only about providing temporary accommodation. It is also about helping individuals restore stability in their lives, strengthen their relationships and develop the confidence, skills and support networks needed to remain stably housed.
3. The projects were unveiled at the Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers (PEERS) Appreciation Event on 19 August 2026. Minister for Education and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee graced the occasion as Guest-of-Honour, joined by Senior Minister of State of Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua.
Supporting Ground-Up Innovation Through the PATH Fund
4. Community partners play an important role in building trusted relationships with rough sleepers, understanding their circumstances, and connecting them to assistance and opportunities. The PATH Fund supports ground-up ideas that help rough sleepers move towards stable housing and reintegrate into the community. The Fund reflects MSF's belief that better outcomes are achieved when Government and community partners work together, and when those closest to the ground have room to test practical, person-centred solutions. It provides community organisations with opportunities to pilot innovative approaches, test new solutions, and contribute ideas shaped by their experiences working directly with rough sleepers.
5. Of the 17 supported projects, 11 will pilot new initiatives to provide more tailored support for rough sleepers. These include employment pathways such as micro-jobs, apprenticeships and work-readiness training; faster access to stable housing, including through structured matching of prospective co-tenants under HDB's Joint Singles Scheme; and dedicated support for groups such as homeless youths through mentoring, family mediation and vocational guidance. The remaining six projects will support community organisations operating Safe Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps) to improve their facilities and provide safer, more conducive interim shelter for rough sleepers. Details of the approved projects are in Annex A.
6. The next application window for the PATH Fund will open in March 2027.
Strengthening Partnerships Through the PEERS Network
7. MSF also recognised 12 partners with the Five-Year Partner Award for their sustained contributions to supporting rough sleepers. In addition, 11 new organisations joined the PEERS Network this year and were presented the New-Partner Award. The PEERS Network now comprises more than 80 community partners, social service agencies and Government organisations working alongside volunteers and members of the public to provide coordinated support for rough sleepers.
8. Addressing rough sleeping requires sustained collaboration across Government agencies, community organisations, social service agencies, volunteers and the wider community. Through the PEERS Network, partners contribute different expertise and perspectives, enabling more responsive and effective support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
9. MSF will continue working closely with partners to strengthen support for rough sleepers, test new ideas and strengthen early support, and build a stronger ecosystem of care. Together, these efforts aim to help more rough sleepers achieve stable housing, rebuild social connections, strengthen family and community ties, and reintegrate into society with dignity and confidence.