Over 97% of elderly HDB households are satisfied with their flats

Based on a survey conducted by HDB, more than 97 percent of elderly households in HDB estates are satisfied with their flats.

HDB conducts the Sample Household Survey (SHS) every five years. Recently, it polled almost 8,000 households.

In 2008, 98.5 percent of elderly households were satisfied with their flats, up from 97.9 percent in 2003, according to the survey. An elderly household refers to a household where the head is 65 years old and above.

About 97 percent of elderly households also showed overall satisfaction with their neighbourhood. The top three aspects of HDB living voted by the elderly were location, transport networks and estate facilities.

The support handbars in lifts and corridors, along with bird-singing corners were the common facilities that were most popular with them.

The proportion of elderly households taking part in community activities increased significantly from just 16.8 percent in 1998 to 46.9 percent in 2008. More of the elderly also interacted socially with their neighbours.

Nearly 81 percent of the elderly said that their sources of income were enough to meet their daily expenses. The remaining 19 percent complained about insufficient incomes, as well as the high costs of living and healthcare.

In the meantime, 81.5 percent of elderly households said that they were proud of their homes, and 93 percent agreed that their flats were “value for money”.

Of the 8,000 households that were interviewed, 85 percent have no plans of moving in the next five years.