Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced on Sunday (Feb 16) that over 29,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats are set to undergo upgrading works through the next phase of the Home Improvement Programme, with a substantial allocation of more than S$407 million (US$304 million).
The Home Improvement Programme, a government initiative launched in 2007, aims to enhance the living conditions of older flats by addressing common maintenance issues caused by wear and tear. Minister Lee revealed that an additional 371 blocks will be included in the programme, bringing the total number of selected flats to 494,000—representing nine out of ten eligible flats.
Expanding Reach and Enhancing Living Spaces
The selected flats are located in various estates including Bedok, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Chua Chu Kang, Hougang, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands. These households will benefit from essential improvements such as repairing spalling concrete, replacing waste or soil discharge stacks, and upgrading electrical loads to ensure basic safety needs are met.
Additionally, households selected for the programme will have the option to include senior-friendly fittings under the Enhancement for Active Seniors, or EASE programme. This includes features like foldable shower seats, handrails at flat entrances, grab bars, and slip-resistant treatments for bathroom floor tiles. Minister Lee highlighted the growing interest in the updated programme, with approximately 29,000 households having already applied—a testament to the positive reception of these enhancements.
Commitment to Quality Living Environments
The government’s dedication to revitalizing older estates and homes was emphasized by Minister Lee, who stressed the importance of ensuring that Singaporeans can continue to enjoy a high-quality living environment. With an investment of approximately S$4 billion in the Home Improvement Programme as of Mar 31, 2024, the government aims to provide essential improvements fully funded for Singapore citizen households, while offering heavily subsidized optional improvements to enhance living spaces.
Optional improvements, such as upgrading existing toilets or bathrooms, installing new entrance doors and gates, and replacing refuse chute hoppers, are available to Singapore citizen households at a low cost, with some paying as little as five percent of the total expenses. This comprehensive approach to upgrading older flats reflects the government’s commitment to refreshing and rejuvenating housing estates to meet evolving needs and standards.
As Minister Lee aptly summarized, “As our homes and estates age over time, they naturally encounter higher wear and tear. As a government, we are committed to refreshing, rejuvenating and improving our older estates and our older homes, to ensure that Singaporeans can continue to enjoy a high-quality living environment.”
In conclusion, the extensive scope of the Home Improvement Programme underscores the government’s proactive efforts to enhance the living standards of residents in older flats, promoting safety, comfort, and quality of life for Singaporean households.
