590 HDB Blocks To Be Upgraded Islandwide

Source : The Straits Times, Feb 4, 2008

Larger developers can still hold out, but some may be more open to slightly lower offers

ABOUT 590 blocks in 58 Housing Board sites islandwide have been picked for the next batch of improvement works by the Housing Board under its new upgrading schemes.

This includes the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).

The HDB, which said earlier that HIP would be first conducted in two precincts in Yishun and Tampines, announced on Monday that it will double that number to four in view of strong public support. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

The HIP focuses on essential improvements within a flat, like repairing spalling concrete, and also gives residents the choice of opting out of certain items to reduce their bill. This replaces the more extensive Main Upgrading Programme, which conducts work both inside and outside the flat and costs more to do.

Under NRP, several adjoining estates are spruced up together, with the cost fully borne by the Government.

The HDB, which said earlier that HIP would be first conducted in two precincts in Yishun and Tampines, announced on Monday that it will double that number to four in view of strong public support.

Meanwhile, eight estates have been selected for NRP and 52 for lift upgrading - where lifts are improved to give residents access on every level. Some estates will have more than one type of upgrading work done concurrently to reduce the inconvenience caused.

Six precincts previously picked for the main upgrading programme under the old regime will also be switching to the new programmes. This is possible because residents in these precincts have not yet voted on their upgrading plan.

Details of the specific locations of these precincts will be released by the respestive MPs later. Work on this batch is expected to be completed within five years' time.

The HDB decided to go ahead with the major upgrading works following strong support from the residents after they were announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally last August.

In surveys conducted by HDB, 98 per cent of respondents expressed support for the HIP while 92 per cent indicated their willingness to participate in town hall meetings and provide inputs for NRP projects in their precincts.

The amendments to the Housing and Development Act that enable the HIP to be carried out were passed by Parliament on Jan 21.

In view of strong public support, the number of HIP projects has been increased from the earlier two to four, said the HDB in a statement on Monday.

'Some of the sites will be offered more than one programme to cater to specific local needs, minimise inconvenience to the residents and complete the LUP by 2014,' said the HDB.

Commenting on the upgrading works, Minister of State for National Development, Ms Grace Fu, said: 'We have listened to the feedback that residents gave us at the Forum on HDB Heartware and incorporated them into the new programmes. I am heartened by the strong support for the HIP and NRP. We are pleased to be able to bring the new programmes to more residents. In addition, the Government remains on track to complete the LUP for all eligible blocks by 2014.'


Factbox on HDB upgrading programmes

Home Improvement Programme (HIP)
The HIP will introduce useful flat improvements and items that are necessary for public health, safety or technical reasons, while addressing common maintenance problems in ageing flats, such as spalling concrete and ceiling leaks. About 300,000 flats, built in 1986 or before that have not undergone the MUP, will be eligible for the HIP.

The programme comprises two components - Optional Improvements and Essential Improvements. Optional Improvements are items that residents are likely to value, such as toilet upgrading and replacement of entrance door and refuse chute hopper.

Residents will be allowed to opt out of Optional Improvements with a corresponding reduction in co-payment. (In the case of toilet upgrading, the toilet must pass the water test for leaks if the lessee wishes to opt out of the item, to prevent ceiling leaks for the unit below.)

Essential Improvements are those that are deemed necessary for public health, safety or technical reasons, such as the repair of spalling concrete and replacement of waste pipes and pipe sockets ('bamboo pole holders'). These items will be fully funded by the Government if the HIP is polled successfully.

Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP)
The NRP focuses on precinct- and block-level improvements and will be carried out on a larger scale, across two or more contiguous precincts.

This will ensure that facilities provided in adjoining precincts complement rather than duplicate one another, and allow pooling of resources to provide items that are otherwise too costly to build.

Under the NRP, residents will be invited to more actively provide feedback and views on the facilities to be built. About 200,000 flats, built in 1989 or before that have not undergone the MUP, Interim Upgrading Programme (IUP) or IUP Plus, will be eligible for the NRP.

Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP)
HDB is committed to completing the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) by 2014, for all eligible HDB blocks that do not have lifts stopping on every floor. Since LUP was introduced in 2001, around 3,600 HDB blocks, or about 70 per cent of the total number of eligible bocks, have been offered lift upgrading. The remaining eligible blocks will be offered LUP within the next few years and will be completed by 2014.