The Ministry of National Development, the Ministry of Health, and the Housing & Development Board worked together to create CCAs, an innovative public housing program in Singapore. Integrating care services with age-friendly housing in these apartments enables seniors to age independently in a supportive community environment.
Key features of community care apartments
1. Senior-friendly design and minimal renovation
Every CCA unit, measuring 32 square meters, is carefully planned to meet the requirements of elderly inhabitants. The open floor plan features sliding partitions that can divide the living and bedroom spaces, offering versatility and seclusion. The units are equipped with necessary features already, reducing the need for extra renovations.
- Wide, wheelchair-accessible main doors with built-in benches.
- Spacious, wheelchair-friendly bathrooms equipped with grab bars and slip-resistant flooring.
- Built-in wardrobes and kitchen cabinets.
- A furnished kitchen area (excluding appliances like refrigerators and washing machines).
- A service yard accessible from the bathroom, complete with a clothes-drying rack.
Every floor has a common area designed to promote socialising among residents and build a strong community.
2. Integrated care services
To support independent living, residents must subscribe to a Basic Service Package.
- 24-hour emergency monitoring and response.
- Basic health checks.
- An on-site community manager who organizes regular activities and programs.
- Help with simple home repairs.
- Key card access to individual flats.
3. Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a CCA, both the applicants and their spouses (if they have one) need to be at least 65 years of age. Applicants have the option to select a lease lasting from 15 to 35 years, in increments of five years, ensuring coverage until they reach at least 95 years old. Candidates who received housing aid twice before and bought a Studio Apartment or a short-term 2-room Flexi flat are disqualified.
4. Upfront payment and lease conditions
Those who are approved need to make complete payment for the flat upfront, using cash and/or CPF funds. The Basic Service Package offers the option of paying in full upfront or making partial payments with monthly fees over the lease period. Unlike regular HDB flats, CCAs cannot be sold or leased. Residents who no longer need the apartment can return it to HDB and get a refund depending on the remaining lease value.
Developments and future plans
In February 2021, around 160 units were made available in the first phase of CCAs, known as Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok. Queensway Canopy in Queenstown, the second phase, was launched in November 2022. It includes 245 units as part of a bigger housing development. These projects are a key part of Singapore’s overall plan to offer a variety of housing choices for its aging residents.
The Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok project was close to being finished in August 2024, with expectations set for completion in September or October of the same year. The new addition features a 400-seat hawker centre on the ground floor, improving the amenities accessible to locals.
Conclusion
Community Care Apartments in Singapore mark a major step forward in public housing, providing seniors with a special mix of independent living and comprehensive care services. CCAs offer a supportive environment for seniors to gracefully age in the community by integrating well-designed living spaces with necessary services. With Singapore’s ongoing development of more apartments in different areas, they will play a crucial role in the country’s senior living strategy.
