New community care apartments for seniors in Bukit Batok to offer elder-friendly features, services

• The flats are only open to those aged 65 and above at the point of application
• Application starts in February
• Buyers must choose leases that will cover them until age 95 at least

SINGAPORE — Residents in the older age group can look forward to assisted living in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats in 2024, when new community care apartments in Bukit Batok are expected to be completed.

The HDB, Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of National Development (MND) announced the launch of the pilot apartments on Thursday (Dec 10), which will come with elder-friendly features and a package of services such as 24-hour emergency monitoring.

The flats will be open for applications in February.

Located at Bukit Batok West Avenue 9, the flats will be eligible only to those aged 65 and above at the point of application.

Each of the approximately 160 units on sale at the next Build-to-Order exercise is 32sqm and will be designed to help seniors live independently. For example, the flat will feature grab bars and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms with slip-resistant flooring.

There will also be a 50-sqm communal space on each floor for residents to mingle and participate in group activities.

This is not the first time HDB has developed elder-friendly residences. It had previously launched Kampung Admiralty, which comprises HDB flats located alongside facilities such as Admiralty Medical Centre and community gardens, and short-lease two-room flexi flats to cater to seniors. 

This latest project comes with a basic package of services for all residents, such as 24-hour emergency monitoring, basic health checks and simple home fixes provided by a community manager. 

Residents can also fork out a bit more for additional services such as housekeeping service, laundry service and meal delivery.

To be eligible for these flats, applicants and their spouses, if any, must be 65 years old and above. Seniors can jointly ballot for the flat with a friend or family member who is also eligible.

They must choose a lease ranging from 15 to 35 years, in five-year increments, such that it covers them until they are at least 95 years old.

For example, someone who is 65 must pick a lease that is at least 30 years, while someone who applies for the flat at the age of 80 must pick a lease that is at least 15 years.

HDB said that the requirement for the lease to last until at least 95 years old is based on the increasing life expectancy of Singaporeans.

Seniors who require permanent assistance with their daily living activities will be prioritised in the allocation of flats.

The indicative upfront cost of the flats ranges from S$62,000 to S$124,000, depending on the length of the lease and assuming applicants pay for the basic service package in full at the time of purchase.

Applicants who have bought a studio apartment or short-lease two-room flexi flat are not eligible for these new community care apartments, while those who own a private property or an HDB flat must dispose of the property within six months of collecting the keys to the community care apartment.

A physical exhibition of the new flats will be held at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh from Dec 14 to March 31 next year.