The Housing and Development Board (HDB) was set up in 1960 to take over the functions of the Singapore Improvement Trust. In its first decade of existence, the HDB was tasked to build 150,000 housing units to meet the housing shortage, relieve overcrowding especially in the Central Area and provide alternative housing for those affected by slum clearance and urban renewal schemes during 1961-1970.
The main functions of the HDB is to plan and develop affordable public housing and build the supporting commercial, recreational and public premises. It also provides infrastructural facilities, clears land for redevelopment, reclaims land for new development, and sells and rents flats.
