Any intervention will have to navigate a hard political reality given how about 76 per cent of Singapore residents live in HDB flats. Tapping public funds on private facilities that most taxpayers have no access to would be difficult to justify.
There is, however, a narrow but genuine case for public funding support in two categories – lift and escalator safety features, and barrier-free accessibility improvements in older developments.
When an older condominium lacks step-free access or its lifts fall short of current safety standards, the consequences extend beyond the private owners, particularly in an ageing society. The government’s review of the Accessibility Fund, including a possible expansion to cover active ageing and dementia-friendly installations, reflects this broader public dimension.
