Debated in Parliament on 9 Jan 2023.
Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for National Development of the 150 HDB blocks without direct lift access (a) how many blocks are found to be unfeasible for the Lift Upgrading Programme due to technical constraints; (b) how many blocks are found to be technically feasible, but will incur costs of more than $100,000 per unit; and (c) whether HDB will consider enhancing the Lift Access Housing Grant scheme, including waiving resale levies, increasing the grant quantum and relaxing the qualifying criteria for more households to benefit from it.
The Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) was launched in 2001 to provide direct lift access to flats and enhance convenience for residents, especially the elderly and less mobile. At the start of the programme, there were more than 5,300 HDB blocks without 100% lift access. Of these, more than 1,000 blocks were initially found to be unfeasible for LUP due to cost or technical constraints.
Over the years, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has piloted and adopted the use of different design approaches and innovative technical solutions to explore possible options to bring direct lift access to such blocks. Some examples of the solutions that have been successfully implemented include machine room-less lifts which have allowed LUP to be offered to blocks with height constraints and the introduction of home lifts and bubble lifts.
Through these various efforts, the vast majority of the 5,300 blocks have benefited from LUP. There are about 150 blocks, with about 2,000 units without direct lift access, where LUP will incur high cost, and in some cases, not be feasible due to existing technical and site constraints. Nevertheless, over the years, we have also continued to exercise flexibility for some blocks, even when they have exceeded the LUP cost. The overall figure has since further reduced to about 140 blocks.
In some cases, to provide lifts for these high-cost blocks, it may cost more than $200,000 per household. Nevertheless, residents living in these blocks who are in urgent need of direct lift access due to medical conditions or mobility reasons are eligible for the Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG) of up to $30,000 when they buy another flat with direct lift access. So far, most applications for the LHG have been approved, while some others are under evaluation. HDB will continue to monitor the situation and assess if further enhancements are necessary to meet the needs of HDB residents.
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