The Home Improvement Programme (HIP) has selected 29,000 HDB flats for its latest round of upgrading. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced in a press release on February 16 that a budget of $407 million has been set aside for these works.
Located in various areas such as Bedok, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Chua Chu Kang, Hougang, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands, these selected flats will undergo essential improvements to address common maintenance issues that occur due to wear and tear in older flats. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee stated that since the introduction of HIP in 2007, 494,000 flats, which is equivalent to nine in 10 eligible flats, have been chosen for the programme. Among these, around 381,000 flats have already undergone upgrades.
The HIP programme aims to ensure the basic safety needs of residents by repairing spalling concrete and fixing ceiling leakages caused by wear and tear. The costs of these essential improvements are fully borne by the government for Singapore citizen households. Optional upgrades, like improvements to bathrooms and toilets, a new entrance door and grille gate, and a new refuse chute hopper, are also available. These are subsidised by the government, and Singapore citizen households may have to pay as low as 5% of the cost, depending on their flat type.
In addition to HIP, the Enhancement for Active Seniors (Ease) programme has been offered since 2012. Under Ease, flat owners can opt to install senior-friendly fittings, such as grab bars, ramps, and slip-resistant tiles for toilets and bathrooms. The government covers up to 95% of the costs for Singapore citizen households.
According to HDB, approximately $4 billion has been allocated for HIP since its launch, and around $150 million for Ease as of March 31, 2014. Interested buyers and sellers can check out the latest listings for HDB properties and review past sale and rental transactions. They can also compare HDB loans and bank loans and track the price trends of HDBs, condos, and landed properties.