5 things you should know if your home is undergoing HIP

HIP-HIP Hooray! HDB flats will undergo major upgrading, not once, but TWICE during the 99-year lease.

The first round of Home Improvement Programme, or HIP, helps you resolve common maintenance problems, for example if there is spalling concrete on your ceiling, or when there are ceiling leaks, that arise due to wear and tear in older flats, at around the 30-year mark. The second round will take place at around the 60- to 70-year mark.

The upgrades are done to help keep your flat in good condition.

We break down the important details for you.

1. Components of HIP

There are three main components of HIP:

• Essential Improvements are mandatory works which ensure that basic structural and safety needs of older flats are met, and are fully funded by the Government for Singapore Citizen households. They include repairing spalling concrete and structural cracks, as well as replacing pipe sockets with a new clothes drying rack.

• Optional Improvements are heavily subsidised by the Government, with Singapore Citizen households paying as low as five percent of the cost, depending on their flat type. Flat owners have the flexibility to choose the Optional Improvement items that they need, such as toilet upgrading, installing a new entrance door and grille gate as well as refuse chute hopper.

• Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme supports eligible households in making their homes safer and more accessible for seniors through the installation of senior-friendly fittings. In April 2024, we launched EASE 2.0. Under the enhanced programme, seniors can apply for a wider range of senior-friendly fittings such as wall-mounted foldable shower seats, rocker switches and handrails at main entrance with step(s), so that they can move around at home more safely.

2. Subsidies from the Government

For Singapore Citizen households, the Essential Improvements are fully paid for by the Government, while the Optional Improvements are heavily subsidised, with households paying as low as five percent of the cost, depending on their flat type.

The EASE programme is heavily subsidised by the Government, and residents pay as low as 5% of the cost of the fittings they have chosen, depending on their flat type. Find out the estimated amount you have to pay for EASE here.

3. The duration

The upgrading works in each flat will take 10 days or less, depending on the improvements selected. But do note that no work will be done on Sundays!

4. The experience

Dust and noise

To minimise dust and noise, a dust and noise screen will be erected before hacking. The hacking tools used will come with a heavy dust extraction unit and a small breaker will be used to reduce noise and dust. Plastic sheets will also be provided to protect your items from dust. Regular cleaning and housekeeping will be provided. A rest area and study room will also be provided for residents’ usage.

Bathrooms

Temporary toilets with shower facilities will be set up at the void deck during working hours. After working hours, you can use the portable toilet set up in your flat – it even comes with hot water showers!

5. The process

When your precinct has been shortlisted for HIP, you’ll receive a letter from HDB. The HIP will proceed if at least 75% of a block’s eligible Singapore Citizen households have voted in favour of the HIP. If you want to go for the optional improvements or EASE items, you can opt in during the polling period.

You’ll be given another six weeks to make your selection of optional items, by:

• Using the E-Opting System via ‘My HDBPage’ at www.hdb.gov.sg;

• Or looking for a Public Relations Officer at the HDB Information Centre.

You can also check if your flat is up for HIP here.

For more information about HIP, visit the HDB website.