Woodlands Woman Sleeps Outside Her Flat Due to Years of Hoarding
In a heart-wrenching scene that’s become all too familiar to her neighbours, a woman in Woodlands has been sleeping outside her HDB flat for over a decade—because her unit is so overwhelmed by hoarded items that there’s simply no space left inside.
Living at Block 603 Woodlands Drive 42, the woman lays a piece of cardboard on the corridor floor every night, using it as a makeshift bed. Despite repeated efforts by neighbours and volunteers to discourage her hoarding habits, she continues collecting discarded items from the neighbourhood and storing them in and around her flat.
Residents told Singapore Uncensored that she is the legal owner of the unit and lives alone, with only occasional visits from her brother. Her home is so cluttered that even the metal gate cannot be fully closed, raising concerns about her safety and the fire risks involved.
Hoarding Creates Daily Hazards for the Community
According to accounts, the woman collects a wide range of items including plastic containers, old suitcases, cardboard, bottles, and even perishable goods like fruits—most of which she claims she intends to sell. Unfortunately, this accumulation has become a persistent nuisance to her neighbours.
The overstuffed corridor presents a physical barrier to those trying to navigate the common walkway, especially seniors or those with mobility aids. More troubling, the clutter has attracted pests like cockroaches and rats, which have been found sneaking into nearby flats.
In one alarming incident, the hoarded items caught fire, causing a brief power outage in the block. Fortunately, vigilant neighbours managed to put out the flames before they spread. The event echoes a recent fire in Toa Payoh, where investigators found that excessive hoarding had contributed to the blaze. That case has reignited discussions about the risks posed by unchecked hoarding in public housing estates.
Compassion Amid Crisis: Community Shows Support
Despite the frustrations, the woman’s neighbours have demonstrated remarkable compassion. Volunteers frequently drop by with hot meals, and residents offer help in quiet, caring ways. One kind-hearted neighbour even provides her with regular haircuts to help her maintain a sense of dignity and hygiene.
Still, the situation presents ongoing challenges. Health and safety risks persist—not only for the woman herself but for the wider community. Residents are calling for a more sustainable solution that combines empathy with enforcement.
Authorities may need to consider a structured intervention, possibly involving mental health services, social welfare support, and estate management enforcement. A clean-up effort backed by counselling and housing support could go a long way in helping the woman regain control of her living conditions.
This case underscores the urgent need for more robust public housing management, mental health outreach programmes, and firm policies around estate cleanliness—topics that deserve further attention in Singapore’s housing and social welfare agenda.
Image: Singapore Uncensored