Public Housing Estate after NRPSINGAPORE: A total of 500,000 flats are expected to benefit from the HDB's latest upgrading programmes, the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) and the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).
The major make-overs will cover public housing estates around Singapore - from Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Serangoon and Hougang to Bukit Merah, Jurong, Tampines, Yishun and Woodlands.
Costs for essential works within flats will be fully borne by the government when carried out on units owned by Singapore citizens, while the optional works will be subsidised by the government.
As for the wider-scale neighbourhood works, these will also be fully funded by the government. Both the works will only go ahead if those living in the estates vote in favour for them.
The two programmes announced by the Prime Minister in his National Day Rally speech will cover public flats built in 1986 or earlier and which have not undergone upgrading works.
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500,000 flats to benefit from HDB's latest upgrading programmes
HDB, in giving details of the programmes, says the initiatives - introduced following recommendations by the HDB Heartware Forum panel - are to offer greater flexibility in the choice of improvement works.
HIP, which replaces the Main Upgrading Programme, is aimed at addressing common maintenance problems in ageing flats like spalling concrete and ceiling leaks.
It comprises two components - namely Optional Improvements and Essential Improvements - and is targeted to address essential but common maintenance problems in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
Flat owners can also choose for Optional Improvements like toilet upgrading, replacement of entrance doors and a better refuse hopper.
Residents will be able to opt out of these improvements with a corresponding reduction of co-payment.
Essential Improvements include items deemed necessary and compulsory, such as repair of spalling concrete and replacement of waste pipes and will be carried out if 75% of residents vote for the HIP.
The government will subsidise a major portion of the cost of the Optional Improvements for Singaporeans.
On average, a full range of optional improvements items will cost between S$550 and S$1,375 for each unit, depending on the size of the flat.
This is much lower than the cost of S$2,490 and S$6,225 under the MUP Standard Package.
The HIP will be piloted in Tampines and Yishun.
Another new programme, the NRP, seeks to upgrade precincts on a larger scale, which will allow resources to be pooled to build more costly facilities.
The NRP will replace the existing Interim Upgrading Programme.
HDB says 22 estates are eligible for NRP, including the opposition ward of Hougang.
Selection will be based on criteria like age, condition of the flats, geographical spread and support for government programmes.
Residents affected by NRP will be invited to provide feedback and views on facilities to be built and they can suggest "non-standard" items like skating parks, soccer hardcourts and tennis courts.
The NRP will be fully funded by the government, but approval for items will be subject to budget and maintenance considerations.
The precinct and block-level improvements will be carried out in two or more neighbouring precincts to ensure that facilities will complement rather than duplicate one another. This approach will also allow resources to be pooled together to provide facilities that would otherwise be too costly to build.
A series of public exhibitions will be held so that the public can view details of the new upgrading programmes and the rejuvenation of Punggol and Dawson estates. The first exhibition will be held at the HDB Hub Mall from September 1st. - CNA/ir/sf
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