In a major effort to enhance the living conditions of older HDB flats, the Housing Development Board (HDB) has announced that 29,000 more flats (built in 1997 or earlier) will undergo upgrades under the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). These enhancements will include structural repairs, upgraded bathrooms, and improved entrances. Additionally, homeowners will have the option to install senior-friendly features such as grab bars and foldable shower seats, making their homes safer and more accessible.
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Updates on Home Improvement Programme 2025
The latest round of the Home Improvement Programme in 2025, announced on February 16, will cover 371 blocks in four HDB estates – Choa Chu Kang, Pasir Ris, Tampines, and Jurong West. To support these enhancements, the Government has allocated over S$407 million, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining and improving public housing estates.
Over 1,200 households across 10 blocks in Pioneer, located opposite Jurong Point, will be the first to undergo the HIP upgrades in this batch. Some blocks selected are about 30 years old, thus sparking significant interest among residents, particularly those with elderly family members who would benefit from the enhancements.
Since its launch in 2007, the Home Improvement Programme has played a crucial role in rejuvenating older housing estates. As of March 31, 2024, approximately S$4 billion has been spent on the programme. Over the years, 494,000 flats — accounting for 9 in 10 eligible flats — have been selected for HIP.
Among these, close to 381,000 flats have already been upgraded, significantly improving the quality of living for their residents.
List of HDB blocks under the HIP
| Bedok | • Blocks 633 – 649 Bedok Reservoir Road/Jalan Tenaga |
| Bukit Batok | • Blocks 623 – 628 and 297 – 299 Bukit Batok Central/Street 22 |
| Bukit Merah | • Blocks 6, 122, 123 and 125 Kim Tian Road |
| Bukit Panjang | • Blocks 501 – 512 Jelapang Road |
| Chua Chu Kang | • Blocks 429 – 441 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4 • Blocks 601 – 616 Choa Chu Kang Street 62 • Blocks 617 – 621 and 625 – 627 Choa Chu Kang North 7/Street 62 • Blocks 784 – 792 Choa Chu Kang Drive/North 6 |
| Hougang | • Blocks 567 – 580 Hougang Street 51/Ave 4 |
| Jurong West | • Blocks 345 – 355 Kang Ching Road/Corporation Drive • Blocks 701 – 710 Jurong West Street 71 • Blocks 854 – 866 Jurong West Street 81 • Blocks 687 – 696 Jurong West Central 1 |
| Pasir Ris | • Blocks 130 – 137 Pasir Ris Street 11 • Blocks 252 – 257 and 266 – 275 Pasir Ris Street 21 • Blocks 138 – 161 Pasir Ris Street 11/13 • Blocks 626 – 633 and 642 – 651 Pasir Ris Drive 3/10 • Blocks 634 – 641 Pasir Ris Drive 1 • Blocks 601 – 615 Elias Road • Blocks 570 – 586 Pasir Ris Street 53 |
| Queenstown | • Blocks 80 – 83 Strathmore Avenue |
| Sengkang | • Blocks 133 – 141 Rivervale Street |
| Tampines | • Blocks 324 – 337 Tampines Street 32 • Blocks 842B, 842C, 842D, 842E, 842F, 842G, 842H, 856B, 856C, 856D, 856E and 856F Tampines Street 82 • Blocks 338 – 343 and 345 – 351 Tampines Street 33 • Blocks 497A, 497B, 497C, 497D, 497F, 497G, 497H, 497J, 498A, 498B, 498D, 498E, 498F, 498G, 498H, 498J, 498L and 498M Tampines Street 45 |
| Toa Payoh | • Blocks 153A, 153 – 156, 171, 172, 172A, 97, 99A, 99B, 99C, 101A and 101B Lorong 1/2/3 Toa Payoh |
| Woodlands | • Blocks 891A, 891B, 892A, 892B, 893A, 893B, 893C, 893D, 894A, 894B, 894C and 894D Woodlands Drive 50 • Blocks 728 – 743 Woodlands Circle • Blocks 721 – 727 Woodlands Circle/Avenue 6 |
Key features of Home Improvement Programme
What types of work are included in this programme? HIP consists of two main components, each designed to enhance residents’ quality of life.
Essential improvements (fully-funded)
These upgrades focus on safety and structural integrity, addressing common issues in ageing flats. They include:
- Repair of spalling concrete and structural cracks
- Replacement of ageing pipes and electrical wiring
- Enhancements to common corridors and lift lobbies
Optional improvements (subsidised)
Residents can choose from a range of optional upgrades to improve their homes. These include:
- New entrance doors and gates
- Upgrades to toilets and bathrooms
- Water-saving sanitary fittings
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.
Senior-friendly upgrades: Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE)
To further support ageing residents, HDB has integrated the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme into the HIP. Since its launch in 2012, the EASE programme has benefited around 340,000 households, with the Government investing over S$150 million in these improvements.
This initiative enables elderly homeowners to install safety features, such as:
- Rocker switches for easier light control
- Handrails at entrances for better support
- Slip-resistant treatment for bathroom floors
- Foldable chairs for support in bathrooms
For households whose blocks are not selected for HIP, senior-friendly enhancements can still be installed through the EASE (Direct Application) programme via the HDB website. A site survey will be conducted before installation to assess residents’ needs.
The Government subsidises up to 95% of the cost for any optional improvements, including the EASE programme. Depending on the flat types, flat owners only pay between 5 to 12.5% of the costs.
See the cost breakdown of EASE programme here.
HDB has emphasised that these improvements will not only enhance safety but also improve overall comfort, particularly for seniors who wish to age in place within familiar surroundings.
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How HDB flats are selected for the HIP
Flats qualify for the HIP based on their age, with those built in 1997 or earlier considered for selection. Once a block is identified, HDB evaluates its condition to determine the need for upgrades. The process ensures that older flats receive timely maintenance and enhancements to keep them safe and liveable.
After shortlisting, a resident poll is conducted, allowing residents to decide whether the upgrade should proceed. At least 75% of Singapore Citizen (SC) households in the selected blocks must vote in favour before the works can commence. This approach ensures that homeowners have a say in whether their estate benefits from the enhancements, making the process more inclusive and community-driven.
With over S$407 million allocated for this latest batch of HIP 2025 upgrades, the Government remains committed to maintaining and enhancing Singapore’s ageing public housing estates. As thousands of flats undergo critical repairs and modern enhancements, residents can look forward to safer, more comfortable homes that meet evolving lifestyle needs.
What do you think about the Home Improvement Programme 2025? Share your thoughts below or on our Facebook page.
About Ananda Bayu
Ananda has been wrangling Singapore's complex real estate trends into readable bites since 2020. She writes like she's explaining it to a friend over kopi — because who has time for jargon? When off the clock, she’s probably doom-scrolling through cat memes on X, convincing herself it's the highest tier of "creative inspiration".
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