320,000 flats finally upgraded under HIP
The upgrading work for 320,000 flats is close to being finished under the Home Improvement Programme. This includes all eligible HDB flats that were built up to 1986.
Around 95% of the work has been completed. Meanwhile, 4% are currently being upgraded, and 1% has not been polled yet. These works can only proceed when 75% of a block’s eligible households vote in favour of it.
HIP was implemented in 2007 and it focuses on improvements in the flat. These include installing new doors, improving sanitary fittings, and repairing structural cracks. All of these will be paid for by the government. However, all optional work will be partially paid for by the residents.
According to HDB, around 283,900 households have also had elderly-friendly fittings under the Active Seniors (EASE) programme. This includes ramps, grab bars, and slip-resistant floors.
“The wheelchair lifter can be a solution for flats where ramps cannot be installed due to site constraints,” HDB noted.
The HIP will be extended to another 230,000 flats that were built between 1987 and 1997.
“Of these, works have (been) completed for about 1,200 flats, while another 55,000 units are in various stages of upgrading,” it added.
The government has spent roughly S$3.69 billion on HIP and S$110 million on EASE as of 31 March 2022.
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