Built-in features for aged and disabled

The construction of the two-room flats, with 45 sq m units will be launched in non-mature estates and will feature disabled- and elderly-friendly environment, the Housing Board said.

There will be ramps ready for use at the main entrance. Toilet doors will be wider for the wheelchair’s easier accessibility.

They will also provide larger eye-viewers at the front door. Switches for electricity and power outlets points will be installed a little bit higher so that elderly need not to bend over to reach them.

Moving within blocks will also be easier since wider walkways and ramps will put in for the wheelchair-bound.

These features would be the first to include in HDB flats.

The HDB board will increase the supply to more than 4,000 smaller and three-room flats in the next two years. The construction of two- and three-room flats in Singapore in the 1980’s had stopped, since the people wanted larger flats. Because of the renewed demands, comfortable units came back in 2004.
 
According to the National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, more of such smaller flats will be constructed in the following year. This will help families especially those who have low-income to own homes and allow those who want to downgrade due to financial worries to do so.

“To ensure that they remain affordable to the lower income, they would mainly be offered in non-mature estates where the selling prices are lower,” HDB spokesman said.