Neighbourhood Renewal Programme may be extended to newer flats: Khaw

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of National Development will consider the extension of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) to blocks built in the early 1990s.

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in Parliament today (July 7) that if an extension is made, priority will be given to towns that have not benefited from main or interim upgrading programmes, such as those in the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

Currently, only blocks built before 1989 are eligible for the NRP. Those which have already undergone the main and interim upgrading programmes are also excluded from the NRP.

About 75 per cent, or 140,000, of the 187,000 eligible flats have been selected for the programme so far.

“Now that we have crossed the three-quarter mark, it is timely to review the original set of selection criteria,” said Mr Khaw.

“We understand that residents in blocks built just after 1989 may feel that their blocks are also ageing, but they have just missed out on NRP, and they wish that NRP can also be extended to them.”

Launched in 2007, the NRP enhances selected public housing precincts at the block and neighbourhood level. Physical improvements include drop-off porches and communal facilities like precinct pavilions. CHANNEL NEWSASIA