Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) was introduced in 1989 to ensure a balanced mix of ethnic groups in the HDB estates, and to prevent formation of racial enclaves. It seeks to allow residents of different ethnicities to live together and interact on a regular basis in public housing where 80% of the population lives.
How does it work?
Under the EIP, there are limits on the total percentage of a block or neighborhood that may be occupied by a certain ethnicity. Once these limits are reached, no further sale of flats to the affected group is allowed, unless the seller and buyer belong to the same ethnic group.
And why is it important?
When people of different ethnic groups live together, their kids will also go to the same kindergarten, same primary school, because all over the world young kids go to school very near to where they live, and they grow up together. EIP has helped to maintain racial and social harmony in Singapore by providing opportunities for social mixing among Singaporeans of different races.