More than 18,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats across Singapore have been selected for upgrading under the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), with the Government allocating over S$253 million to improve ageing homes and enhance residents' living conditions.

Announcing the latest round of upgrades on May 16, Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah said the programme will benefit households in 198 HDB blocks spread across 12 towns, including Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Tampines and Woodlands.

Speaking at a Neighbourhood Renewal Programme public consultation event in Bukit Batok, Ms Indranee encouraged residents to participate in the scheme, particularly households with elderly family members.

"Please encourage your family and friends to sign up for the programme, especially if they have seniors in their households, so they too can benefit from these heavily subsidised improvements," she said.

What Is the Home Improvement Programme?

Launched in 2007, the HIP helps owners of older HDB flats address common maintenance issues caused by ageing buildings. These include problems such as spalling concrete, ceiling leaks and other wear-and-tear defects. The programme also introduces improvements that enhance safety, comfort and convenience within homes.

The latest batch of selected flats covers the following estates:

• Bedok: Blocks 650–672 Jalan Tenaga/Jalan Damai

• Bishan: Blocks 288–293 Bishan Street 22/24

• Bukit Batok: Blocks 288A–288G and 289A–289G Bukit Batok Street 25

• Bukit Merah: Blocks 12–14 Jalan Bukit Merah and 35, 36, 38–40 Jalan Rumah Tinggi

• Bukit Panjang: Blocks 513–532 Jelapang Road

• Choa Chu Kang: Blocks 442–448 and 469–474 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3/4

• Jurong West: Blocks 639–647 Jurong West Street 61

• Pasir Ris: Blocks 700–725 Pasir Ris Drive 10/Street 72

• Sengkang: Blocks 205A–206D Compassvale Lane

• Serangoon: Blocks 543–554 Serangoon North Avenue 3

• Tampines: Blocks 352–363 Tampines Street 33/34

• Woodlands: Blocks 351–371 Woodlands Avenue 1/5, 748–763 Woodlands Circle/Avenue 4/6, and 769–779 Woodlands Crescent/Drive 60

Essential and Optional Improvements

HIP consists of two key components: essential improvements and optional upgrades.

Essential improvements focus on addressing critical maintenance and safety issues in older flats. These works are fully funded by the Government for eligible Singaporean households.

Optional improvements, meanwhile, allow residents to choose enhancements such as new entrance doors and refuse chute hoppers. These upgrades are heavily subsidised, with homeowners paying as little as 5 per cent of the total cost depending on their flat type.

For the full optional improvement package:

Flat Type	Owner Pays	Government Pays
1-, 2-, 3-room	S$599.50	S$11,390.50
4-room	S$899.25	S$11,090.75
5-room	S$1,199.00	S$10,791.00
Executive	S$1,498.75	S$10,491.25

A four-room flat owner, for example, pays just 7.5 per cent of the total package cost, while the Government covers the remaining 92.5 per cent.

Strong Take-Up Since Launch

Including the latest selection, approximately 512,000 flats—equivalent to about nine in ten eligible HDB flats—have been chosen for HIP since its launch.

Of these, nearly 409,000 flats have completed upgrading works, demonstrating the programme's extensive reach across Singapore's public housing estates.

As of March 31, 2025, the Government has spent around S$5 billion on HIP.

Additional Support for Seniors Through EASE

Households selected for HIP can also opt for improvements under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme, which provides senior-friendly fittings to improve accessibility and safety at home.

Popular EASE installations include:

• Grab bars

• Wheelchair-friendly ramps

• Slip-resistant bathroom floor treatments

Since April 2024, HDB has expanded the programme to include additional features such as:

• Rocker light switches

• Home fire alarm devices

• Bidet sprays

• Wall-mounted foldable shower seats

Like HIP's optional upgrades, EASE improvements are heavily subsidised. Eligible Singaporean households pay between 5 per cent and 12.5 per cent of the installation cost, depending on flat type.

For a four-room flat, residents pay:

• S$35.95 for slip-resistant treatment in two bathrooms

• S$21.25 for a single-step ramp

• S$39.20 for the first set of grab bars

Since its launch, about 379,000 households have benefited from EASE, with Government spending reaching approximately S$190 million as of March 31, 2025.

Households not eligible for HIP may still apply directly to HDB for EASE installations under the Direct Application scheme.

Neighbourhood Renewal Programme Complements HIP

Ms Indranee also highlighted the role of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP), which focuses on upgrading shared facilities and public spaces within HDB estates.

Last month, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat announced 17 new NRP projects worth more than S$130 million, benefiting close to 20,000 households.

Since 2007, a total of 263 NRP projects have been implemented across Singapore.

Ms Indranee noted that while HIP rejuvenates the interior of homes, the NRP enhances the surrounding environment and communal spaces.

"These upgrading programmes work hand in hand as part of our broader efforts to keep your HDB estates vibrant, safe and comfortable as the estates get older," she said.

Outlook

The latest HIP announcement underscores the Government's continued commitment to maintaining Singapore's ageing public housing stock. With substantial subsidies covering the majority of upgrade costs, homeowners can enjoy improved living conditions while ensuring their flats remain safe, functional and attractive for years to come.

As more estates mature, programmes such as HIP, EASE and the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme will play an increasingly important role in preserving the quality and value of Singapore's HDB communities.