Gov’t allocates $742m for upgrades of over 53,000 HDB flats

Selected flats are in Jurong West, Hougang, Woodlands, and Pasir Ris.

Over 53,000 HDB flats will undergo upgrading as part of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) of the Ministry of National Development (MND) and Housing & Development Board (HDB).

The government will allocate more than $742m for upgrading works on selected flats throughout the island, covering areas such as Jurong West, Hougang, Woodlands, and Pasir Ris.

Under the HIP, the selected flats will undergo essential and optional improvements.

“The Essential Improvements ensure that basic structural and safety needs of older flats are met and are fully funded by the Government for Singapore Citizen households,” HDB explained.

“The Optional Improvements are heavily subsidised by the government, with Singapore Citizen households paying as low as five per cent of the cost, depending on the flat type. Flat owners have the flexibility to choose the Optional Improvement items they would like to include during the upgrading process,” HDB added.

Approximately 90%, or about 370,000, of the selected flats have been upgraded. Since the programme's inception in 2007, the government has invested nearly $4 billion in the HIP.