Offer of Lift Upgrading Programme for Third Time to Blocks Unsuccessful at Polls Twice

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB will consider offering the Lift Upgrading Programme for the third time to those blocks that have been unsuccessful at the polls twice, given that new residents may have moved into the blocks.

The Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) is offered to Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks without direct lift access and where the cost cap per benefiting unit can be met.

For blocks that have failed the polling once previously, HDB will evaluate appeals for a second poll, provided that Advisers can demonstrate that circumstances have changed since the earlier failed poll. This can be through an informal survey and Advisers should receive at least 75% support from residents before appealing for LUP to be re-offered.

To ensure that LUP polls are taken seriously, blocks that are offered LUP a second time will be informed that it will be the final round of LUP polling. We should respect the residents' final decision. Reopening the polls for the third time is likely to lead to negative feedback from residents who had earlier objected to LUP. Nonetheless, we are open to considering requests for a third poll on a case-by-case basis, if there are good reasons. This includes strong resident support of at least 75%.