Home Improvement Programme

Every day, 99.co picks a piece of property jargon to explain it. Today we look at Home Improvement Programme (HIP). Here’s how it works:

What is HIP?

HIP refers to HDB’s upgrading scheme for public housing. It addresses common maintenance and use issues for ageing flats. Besides preventing your block from looking like a run-down dump, HIP aims to create interiors that are safe for older residents. HIP works are carried out in a systematic and comprehensive way to minimise inconvenience.

Type of works

There are three main components of works under the HIP, namely the Essential, Optional and Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) improvements.

1. Essential Improvements
2. Optional Improvements
3. Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) Improvements

1. Essential Improvements

These improvements are compulsory because they are necessary for public health, safety and for technical reasons. They include:

• Repairing spalling concrete/ structural cracks
• Replacing waste/ soil discharge stacks*
• Replacing pipe sockets with new clothes drying rack
• Upgrading electrical load

*The pipes have to be cast iron or mixture of cast iron and UPVC, or just UPV to be changed. In addition, there have to be leaks and cracks in your pipes.

2. Optional Improvements

These improvements are optional. You can choose any of the improvements listed below, but you pay your own share of improvement works carried out in your flat. Note that it’s cheaper than the market rate to get these installed yourself, as the government will subsidise part of the cost.

• New entrance door
• New metal grille gate
• Package to upgrade existing toilet(s)/ bathroom(s)*
• New refuse chute hopper

*This is semi-optional. To opt out of the toilet upgrading, your toilets must pass a water test for leaks, to prevent ceiling leaks in the flat below.

3. Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) Improvement

Prevention is better than cure. The EASE enhances the safety and comfort of senior citizens in their own homes. It equips them with the necessary items based on their needs:

• Slip-resistant treatment to floor tiles to two toilets/ bathrooms
• Grab bars to two toilets/ bathrooms
• Ramps to ease movements between level differences in the flat and at the main entrance (if technically feasible, ramps will be offered for entrances with single-step ramp, portable ramp or customised ramp for multi-step main entrance)

The EASE is available to all HDB flats so you do not have to wait for HIP for your block. Thus, it benefits elderly residents who require such improvements before HIP and for those whose blocks do not qualify for the HIP.

Things to note

Below are some additional information that you may need to know before purchasing a flexi-flat.

1.Cost and subsidy

For Singapore Citizens (SCs), the government funds the essential improvements, and subsidises a huge portion of the optional improvements (including EASE).

The total cost for all items under EASE is S$3,840, of which 95% is subsidised by the Government. The amount of subsidies depend on the type of flat you own; for senior citizens living in HDB rental flats, the Government will fully fund the improvement items.

Flat type	1/ 2/ 3-room	4-room	5-room	Executive
Cost-sharing ratio	5%	7.5%	10%	12.5%
Amount payable* (Full optional improvement package w/ fire-rated main door & home fire alarm device)	S$500	S$825	S$1,100	S$1,375
Amount payable* (Full optional improvement package w/ non-fire-rated main door)	S$545	S$817.50	S$1,090	S$1,362.50

* For HIP projects polling after 30 March 2020. All amounts stated are estimates and are subject to GST. The final amount will be determined only upon completion of the upgrading works.

If a resident selects the complete package of EASE items, SCs would only need to pay between S$125 to S$480, depending on flat type.

Flat type	1/ 2/ 3-room	4-room	5-room	Executive
Cost-sharing ratio	5%	7.5%	10%	12.5%
Amount payable* (Full EASE package with single-step ramp)	S$125	S$187.50	S$250	S$312.50
Amount payable* (Full EASE package with portable ramp)	S$147	S$220.50	S$294	S$367.50
Amount payable* (Full EASE package with customised ramp)	S$192	S$288	S$384	S$480

** Maximum amount if all the items are opted for. All amounts stated are estimates and are subject to GST. The final amount will be determined only upon completion of the upgrading works.

To calculate the upgrading cost payable and monthly instalments, use the HIP with EASE calculator.

In contrast to Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Resident households have to pay the full upgrading cost. If a flat owner obtains Singapore citizenship within one year from the date of billing, they will be reimbursed with the upgrading subsidy. Moreover, they can also convert their interest scheme from market interest rate to a concessionary interest rate. They have to be under these schemes to do so:

• Reimbursement for the upgrading subsidy
• Conversion of interest rate scheme (if the upgrading cost is currently paid via monthly instalments)

2. Polling requirements

At least 75% of a block’s eligible Singapore Citizen households have to vote in favour of the HIP for it to proceed. Singapore Permanent Resident households are not eligible to vote.

3. Construction period

Construction in each flat will take 10 days or less, depending on the improvements chosen. As for a typical neighbourhood consisting of eight to ten blocks, it will take approximately 1.5 to two years.

4. Precinct working committee

A working committee is formed to oversee the project in each neighbourhood and is chaired by the advisor to the grassroots organisations. There will be representatives from the residents, grassroots leaders, HDB officials and Town Council officials.

[Additional reporting by Jamie Wong]

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If you found this article useful, check out Common misconceptions about the HIP programme and 6 important home improvements for your elderly parents.