SINGAPORE – Around 18,000 flats across Singapore have been selected for home upgrading works under the Housing Board\u2019s Home Improvement Programme (HIP).<\/p>\n
The 198 blocks chosen for upgrades are located in 12 towns including Bedok, Bishan, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Sengkang, Serangoon, Tampines and Woodlands.<\/p>\n
Home owners will get structural improvements and can opt for subsidised upgrades to their toilets or bathrooms, said Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah on May 16.<\/p>\n
The Government has allocated $253 million for the works, said the HDB.<\/p>\n
The HIP programme was launched in 2007 to address maintenance issues such as spalling concrete and ceiling leakage.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a block party in Bukit Batok East Nature View, Ms Indranee said about 409,000 flats have been upgraded under the HIP since its launch.<\/p>\n
The Government has spent about $5 billion on these works, she added.<\/p>\n
Within Bukit Batok East, more than 1,600 households across 14 blocks have been selected for the upcoming batch of HIP, said Ms Indranee.<\/p>\n
Under the HIP, flats are shortlisted for upgrades based on their age.<\/p>\n
A poll is then held among residents, and upgrading is carried out only if at least 75 per cent of a block\u2019s eligible Singaporean households have voted for it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are two components under the HIP\u00a0\u2013 essential improvements and optional improvements, said Ms Indranee.<\/p>\n
Essential improvements, such as repair of spalling concrete or structural cracks, are meant to ensure the safety of older flats.<\/p>\n
These are fully paid for by the Government for Singaporean households.<\/p>\n Optional improvements, such as new entrance doors and gates, and upgrades to toilets\u00a0and bathrooms, are subsidised by the Government by up to 95 per cent, depending on the flat type.<\/p>\n HDB said households selected for HIP can also opt to have senior-friendly fittings installed in their units under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme.<\/p>\n Said Ms Indranee: \u201cMany of you may have already heard about EASE; however, some of you might not be aware that EASE was enhanced in 2024 to include a wider range of senior-friendly items, such as rocker switches and home fire alarm devices.\u201d<\/p>\n The improvements are aimed at helping more seniors to age in their homes and communities, as Singapore becomes a super-aged society in 2026.<\/p>\n This is where 21 per cent or more of the population is aged 65 and older, according to the United Nations.<\/p>\n The EASE programme is also subsidised by the Government, and Singapore citizen households need to pay only between 5 and 12.5 per cent of the cost, depending on their flat type.<\/p>\n HDB said residents whose blocks are not selected for HIP can still apply for the improvements under the EASE (Direct Application) programme on the HDB website.<\/p>\n About 379,000 households have benefited from the EASE programme since its launch in 2012.<\/p>\n HDB said the Government has spent about $190 million on the programme as at end-March 2025.<\/p>\n Ms Indranee also said the Jurong-Clementi-Bukit Batok Town Council is seeking residents\u2019 feedback on the ongoing Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) for the precinct.<\/p>\n Introduced in 2007, areas selected for the NRP will have upgrading works in their neighbourhoods, such as covered walkways, drop-off porches and senior-friendly amenities.<\/p>\n Several blocks in Bukit Batok East Street 25 were selected for the NRP in June 2024.<\/p>\n Improvements under the NRP are based on residents\u2019 feedback and are fully funded by the Government.<\/p>\n In April, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat announced that 17 projects in areas including Canberra, Hougang and Toa Payoh were selected for the latest batch of the NRP.<\/p>\n Addressing the residents at the block party, Ms Indranee urged them to share their feedback on the design proposals for the precinct, which include a fitness area, playgrounds and sheltered linkways.<\/p>\n Ms Srivaishnavi, 43, said she was excited about the new facilities as both her estate and block have been selected for NRP and HIP.<\/p>\n The home tutor has lived at Block 289F with her husband, their 17-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son for 16 years.<\/p>\n She is looking forward to the pick-up point, which will be built at a pavilion near her block.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cMy family takes the taxi very often, and we would have to wait to be picked up next to the rubbish chute. Now, we will have a designated pick-up point.\u201d<\/p>\n She is also pleased that raised humps will be installed at all linkways in the estate.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cMy son is quite active. He used to run around between the blocks (when he was younger).<\/p>\n \u201cIt can be quite dangerous for small children.\u201d<\/p>\n [[nid:734009]]<\/p>\n This <\/em>article<\/em><\/a> was first published in <\/em>The Straits Times<\/em><\/a>. Permission required for reproduction.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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<\/p>\nNeighbourhood Renewal Programme<\/h2>\n
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