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Ministry of Manpower introduces Dormitory Transition Scheme grant to support existing dormitories in meeting improved standards

Foreign manpower

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is introducing a grant under the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS) to support the transition of around 900 existing migrant worker dormitories to meet improved interim standards by 2030.  The grant will help to defray the costs of retrofitting existing dormitories to meet the interim standards under DTS.

 

2 In September 2021, MOM announced the New Dormitory Standards (NDS) to improve public health resilience in dormitories. To help existing dormitories transition to NDS by 2040, MOM introduced the DTS which set interim standards on critical enhancements needed to strengthen infection control. These include a room occupancy cap of 12 persons, minimum living space of 3.6sqm per person, as well as the provision of ensuite toilets and isolation facilities.

 

3    Applications for the DTS grant will open from 1 March 2026 to 31 August 2026. All existing dormitories holding valid dormitory licences as of 28 February 2026, with leases expiring after 2033 and not on the NDS, must meet the DTS interim standards by 2030 and will be eligible for the DTS grant. A unique application link will be provided to each eligible dormitory. The key details of the DTS grant are as follows:


  1. The quantum of funding for each dormitory will be determined by the type and extent of retrofitting works required (refer to Annex A).
  2. To mitigate potential bed supply disruption due to bunching of dormitories undergoing DTS retrofitting, higher grant quantum will be provided for dormitories that complete retrofitting from 2026 to 2028.

4    MOM will continue to work closely with dormitory operators to coordinate the timing of their transition plans. This is to manage the simultaneous retrofitting of multiple dormitories, and minimise the level of impact on bed supply and retrofitting costs. Dormitories will need to submit their intended retrofitting schedule for MOM’s approval, and must commit to completing the works within the approved schedule.

 

5    All dormitories that are required to undergo DTS would have been notified by MOM.  More details on DTS and the DTS grant can be found here.