- With the latest selection, 9 in 10 eligible HDB flats have been selected for upgrading under HIP

- Homeowners of flats selected for HIP will be able to opt for a range of senior-friendly fittings under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme

The Ministry of National Development (MND) and Housing & Development Board (HDB) have selected over 29,000 HDB flats (refer to Annex A) for upgrading, in the latest selection of the HIP. These flats are located island-wide, including in Choa Chu Kang, Pasir Ris, Tampines and Jurong West. Over $407 million will be allocated for these upgrading works.

2 Households selected for HIP can also opt for a range of senior-friendly fittings such as foldable shower seats, rocker switches, handrails at flat entrances with steps, grab bars, and slip-resistant treatment to bathroom/ toilet floor tiles, under the EASE programme. Collectively, these improvements help to enhance the safety and comfort of residents living in HDB flats, enabling more of our seniors to age in place, within their homes and community that they are familiar with.

Updates on the HIP

3 Implemented in 2007, HIP helps flat owners address common maintenance issues such as spalling concrete and ceiling leakage that arise due to wear and tear in older flats, and provide improvements to enhance living conditions of older flats. Since its launch, the Government has spent about $4 billion on HIP as at 31 March 2024.

4 There are two main components of work under the HIP:

The Essential Improvements ensure that basic safety needs of residents staying in older flats are met, and are fully funded by the Government for Singapore Citizen households.
The Optional Improvements are heavily subsidised by the Government, with Singapore Citizen households paying as low as five percent 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.¹

5 The background of the HIP and detailed list of the HIP improvement items are in Annex B.

6 Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee said, “Since its launch in 2007, 494,000 flats or 9 in 10 eligible flats have been selected for HIP, including the latest batch. Of these, close to 381,000 flats have been upgraded. Many residents who have gone through the HIP have expressed their appreciation for the improvement works to their homes. Some have even organised their own HIP block parties to celebrate the completion and more importantly to thank the contractors and workers for their hard work and efforts in refreshing their home and neighbourhood.”

Updates on the EASE programme

7 Residents whose flats have been identified for the HIP can opt to have a range of senior-friendly fittings installed under the EASE programme. These fittings, which include grab bars, ramps, and slip-resistant treatment to toilet/ bathroom floor tiles are also offered separately under the EASE (Direct Application) for residents who need them, or whose blocks do not qualify for HIP.

8 On 1 April 2024, HDB expanded the range of senior-friendly items under the EASE 2.0 programme, to include additional fittings such as bidet sprays, foldable shower seats and foldable U-profile grab bars, and lowering of toilet entrance kerbs. The EASE 2.0 programme has been well received. Since its launch about 29,000 households have applied for the EASE 2.0 programme as at 31 January 2025. Of the 29,000 households, about 14,000 households had opted for the EASE 2.0 programme together with HIP.

9 Senior-friendly fittings offered under the EASE programme are heavily subsidised by the Government, covering up to 95 per cent of the cost for Singapore Citizen households. Flat owners only need to pay between 5 per cent to 12.5 per cent of the cost, depending on their flat type, ensuring affordability for elderly residents who need these enhancements. More information on the EASE programme can be found in Annex C.

10 Since the launch of the EASE programme in 2012, about 340,000 households have benefitted from the EASE programme as at 31 January 2025 (including the EASE 2.0 programme). As of 31 March 2024, the Government has spent about $150 million on the EASE programme to enhance the safety and accessibility of senior residents in their homes.

¹ Flat owners can only opt out of the optional toilet upgrading if their toilets pass a water test for leaks. This is to prevent ceiling leaks in the flat below.

Over 29,000 More Homes to be Upgraded Under HDB’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP)