Of this 80 per cent, about 95 per cent own their abode, making Singapore a country with one of the highest home-ownership rates in the world.

It was a matter of time before the HDB's 48-year achievement in housing and providing a quality living environment for Singaporeans caught international attention. This year, it was the only Asian country to clinch the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award.

Read Jessica Cheam's full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.