105,000 HDB homes opt for elderly safety upgrades

SINGAPORE — Close to 105,500 households have applied for a Housing and Development Board (HDB) programme to enhance home safety for the elderly since it was launched in 2012.

Out of this number, about 63,300 households opted for upgrades under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (Ease) programme and the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). The remainder applied only for Ease.

Under the Ease programme, Singaporean households can choose a range of elderly-friendly fittings to help older family members move around their flats more easily. These include slip-resistant treatment for floor tiles of one bathroom/toilet, and installation of eight or 10 grab bars for one bathroom/toilet and/or within the flat.

Under the HIP, ageing blocks undergo “essential improvements” to improve public health or safety, and there are optional works to choose from, such as upgrading of toilets and installation of new doors at units.

Some examples of works under HIP — launched in 2007 — include the repair of spalling concrete, or structural cracks or replacement of pipe sockets with new clothes drying racks.

As of March 31, the Government has spent S$30 million on Ease. The Government subsidises up to 95 per cent of the cost for Ease. Singapore Citizen households pay between S$125 and S$312.50, depending on their flat type.

HDB has also expanded the Ease programme since 2014, ensuring more people get to qualify, as well as extending the improvement works.

It has lowered the age criteria for direct application, for households with elderly who are 65 years old, down from 70 years old.

For the other group which qualifies — elderly who require assistance for at least one of the Activities of Daily Living — the age range is now 60 to 64 years old, lowered from 65 to 69 years old.

For households with two toilets, slip-resistance treatment to floor tiles and grab bars were made available for the second toilet.

The HDB said about 220,000 flats are slated for works under the HIP as of the end of last month. Upgrading works have been completed for 74,000 flats and 93,000 are undergoing works.

As of March 31, the Government has spent about S$1,470 million on the programme, launched to tackle maintenance problems related to ageing flats.

The Government is expected to spend another S$464 million on HIP and S$19 million on Ease by March next year.