It is interesting wiki mention HSB flats, as they seem to be government subsidized housing with very specific requirement for purchase, rent, or re-sell. I am not certain they can be considered real home ownership.
http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p....obuynewHDBflat
Perhaps both of you mis-understood each other? In a sense, you do "own" the home per see, however, with so many laws and government requirements, you are really still just a renter compared to western rights (For example if I own a home in America, I can sell, rent whatever unless I am in a subsided housing program), therefore, Willx is also right saying not many people in Singapore "own" homes in a traditional western sense.