Home Improvement Programme

The Home Improvement Programme (HIP) is a programme announced by HDB, during the National Day Rally in August 2007 that replaced the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP). The HIP offers lessees a choice on the works they want to be included in the upgrading of their flats. It also helps lessees deal with common maintenance problems in ageing flats, such as spalling concrete and ceiling leaks, in a systematic and comprehensive manner. Flats are eligible for HIP twice, one at 30 years old and one at 60-70 years old. The HIP is targeted at flats built til 1997.[1][2] Priority of upgrading programmes is traditionally given to wards held by the ruling People's Action Party,[3][4] which appoints the Minister for National Development who oversees the Housing Development Board. When asked why opposition wards are penalised by the statutory board at a NUS student forum in 2011, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong responded, "The answer is that there has to be a distinction. Because the PAP wards supported the Government and the policies which delivered these good things.”[5][6]

Scope of Works

Essential Improvements

These are improvements deemed necessary for public health, safety or technical reasons. They are compulsory if HIP is polled successfully.

  • Replacement of waste pipes
  • Repair of spalling concrete
  • Repair of structural cracks
  • Replacement of pipe sockets
  • Upgrading of electrical supply [7]

Optional Improvements

Owners may opt out of any or all of these improvements, with a corresponding reduction in co-payment. However, to opt out of toilet upgrading, the toilets will have to pass a water test for leaks. This is to prevent ceiling leaks at the flat below.

  • Upgrading of toilets
  • Replacement of entrance door
  • Replacement of entrance grille gate
  • Replacement of refuse hopper [8]


It was also announced in Parliament on 5 March 2012, that HDB will introduce more elderly friendly options under the HIP. These improvements come under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) and aims to create a safer and more comfortable living environment for them. [9]

  • Slip resistant treatment for bathroom floors
  • Grab bars
  • Ramps at the main entrance of flats and in the flats

HIP Ramp Up

With the ramp up in HIP, Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE), which is implemented with HIP, will also be stepped up. Elderly residents will benefit from EASE earlier, and enjoy grab-bars, ramps and slip-resistant treatment to floor tiles to help make their homes elderly-friendly.[10]

Construction

The construction period for a typical precinct comprising eight to ten blocks will take about one and a half to two years. Works in each flat will take 10 days or less, depending on the improvements chosen.[11]

References
  1. "National Day Rally 2018: All HDB flats will be upgraded twice under expanded Home Improvement Programme". The Straits Times. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  2. "What is the Home Improvement Programme (HIP)". Housing and Development Board. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  3. Chong, Terence (2010). Management of Success: Singapore Revisited. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 108. ISBN 9789814279857.
  4. Muzaini, Hamzah; Pow, Choon-Piew; Neo, Harvey; Huang, Shirlena; Rahman, Noorashikin Abdul Rahman Abdul; Ye, Junjia; Lai, Karen P. Y.; Chang, T. C.; Sin, Harng Luh (2013-08-26). Changing Landscapes of Singapore: Old Tensions, New Discoveries. NUS Press. pp. 50, 51. ISBN 9789971697723.
  5. "'PM Lee, I don't get upgrading, so can I pay less tax?'". Yahoo Singapore. 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  6. "Penalised for not-voting PAP candidate". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  7. "What is the Home Improvement Programme (HIP)". Housing and Development Board. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  8. "What is the Home Improvement Programme (HIP)". Housing and Development Board. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  9. "$380 million to Make Flats more Elderly-friendly & Bring Lifts to HDB Multi-Storey Car parks". Housing and Development Board. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  10. "HDB Enhances Upgrading Programmes to Benefit More Homes and Improve Living Environment in HDB Towns". Housing and Development Board. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  11. "What is the Home Improvement Programme (HIP)". Housing and Development Board. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
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