Up to 14 precincts selected for HIP in 2010

Residents living in mature and middle-aged HDB estates stand a good chance of having their precincts upgraded. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said that up to 14 precincts will be picked for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) this year.

About 27 precincts have been selected since HIP was introduced in 2007.

So far, residents in 12 precincts have voted in favour of the programme and HDB has proceeded with its upgrading works.

A total of 300,000 flats are now eligible for HIP, particularly those which have not undergone the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) yet and were constructed in 1986 or earlier. On top of addressing common issues on maintenance of older flats, HIP, which replaces MUP, offers improvements like better bathrooms and new doors.

Mr. Mah refused to disclose which precincts would be chosen this year, as he wanted its respective advisers to divulge the news to their residents first.

Blocks 227 to 235 in Yishun Street 21 comprise the first precinct, where upgrading works have been completed under HIP. It was also the first precinct where the programme was launched in July 2008. Upgrading works for the 729 units were completed in November last year.

“I am very happy with my newly renovated flat,” said Mr. S. N. Nair, a 73-year-old retiree who has been residing in Block 235 with his wife for the last 20 years.

He added that his favourite features are those toilets with grab bars for the elderly. He paid $825 to have the optional features installed in his four-room flat.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and the HIP are part of the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) initiative, an urban-rejuvenation programme of HDB. More improvements to Yishun Town, including the Phase one of a 7.5-km cycling path and the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, will be completed this year.

“(Your) flat’s value is going to go up as we remake the town, so hold on to this flat and use it as part of your retirement income,” Mr. Mah told residents during the completion ceremony.

The ROH initiative will be extended “phase by phase” to all of the heartland, be it middle-aged or old towns, he added.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr. Mah said that the Yishun precinct was selected as it belongs to the group of “middle- aged towns”, which were built 25 to 30 years ago.

“Equally importantly, we chose it because there’s a very strong community spirit here,” he said.

HDB will execute upgrading works at an average of 14 precincts every two years.

HIP is not a stop-gap measure, as results are “going to last the flats quite a long time,” said Mr. Mah.

“It’s actually something we want to do for the next generation...We want to take them (older flats) up to the standard of newer flats,” he added.