Over 29,000 HDB flats have been selected for the latest round of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). In a Feb 16 press release, HDB says that over $407 million will be allocated for the upgrading works.

The selected flats are located in Bedok, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Chua Chu Kang, Hougang, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands.

The HIP was first introduced in 2007 to help flat owners address common maintenance issues that arise due to wear and tear in older flats. Since then, 494,000 flats or nine in 10 eligible flats have been selected for the programme, with close to 381,000 flats undergoing upgrades, says Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.

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Flats selected for the programme undergo essential improvements that ensure the basic safety needs of residents, such as repairing spalling concrete and ceiling leakages due to wear and tear. These essential improvements are fully funded by the government for Singapore citizen households.

Flat owners can also opt for optional improvements such as upgrades to existing bathrooms and toilets, a new entrance door and grille gate, and a new refuse chute hopper. Optional improvements are subsidised by the government, with Singapore citizen households paying as low as 5% of the cost, depending on the flat type.

Since 2012, the Enhancement for Active Seniors (Ease) programme has been offered as part of the HIP. Under Ease, flat owners can opt to install senior-friendly fittings such as grab bars, ramps and slip-resistant treatment to toilet and bathroom tiles. Up to 95% of the costs are covered by the government for Singapore citizen households.

Since their launches, the government has allocated approximately $4 billion to the HIP and around $150 million to Ease as of March 31, 2014, according to HDB.

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