Oral answer by Ministry of National Development on the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) and the Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG)

Feb 18, 2025

7138. Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider according priority to owners of segmented HDB units that do not have direct access to lifts on the same level and where Lift Upgrading Programme is not feasible, when they apply for BTO flats with direct lift access, especially when they have household members with mobility issues.

7202. Ms Ng Ling Ling: To ask the Minister for National Development for HDB units ineligible for the Lift Upgrading Programme and lacking direct lift access (a) what alternatives, besides the Lift access Housing Grant (LHG), are available to senior residents with mobility issues who face difficulties moving out of such units due to inability to afford a resale flat and their lowered chances in securing new HDB flats as second-timers; and (b) what is the proportion of units whose residents have tapped on LHG versus the total number of these units in the last three years.

Answer:

Households facing extenuating circumstances arising from medical or mobility challenges may tap on the Lift access Housing Grant (LHG) of up to $30,000, to help them move to a new or resale flat with direct lift access.

For seniors with mobility difficulties who face financial difficulties, they can consider purchasing a Community Care Apartment or a 2-room Flexi flat on a shorter lease. Eligible applicants enjoy priority under the Senior Priority Scheme, including those who have already bought two subsidised flats in the past. In the last five years, second- and nth-timer seniors who booked 2-room Flexi flats or Community Care Apartments were able to do so within two tries on average.

In addition to the LHG of up to $30,000 for families and $15,000 for singles, seniors who right-size to a 3-room or smaller HDB flat, and top up the proceeds from the sale of their existing property into their CPF Retirement Account, can additionally benefit from the Silver Housing Bonus of up to $30,000. This will help them to secure a suitable flat to meet their mobility needs, and benefit from additional cash for retirement.

Since the implementation of the LHG in 2020, HDB has received 67 complete applications. Of these, 51 applications were approved, while 9 are currently under evaluation. Successful applicants can use the LHG to buy a flat directly from HDB, which includes a 2-room Flexi flat on a shorter lease or a Community Care Apartment, or a flat from the resale market, depending on their budget and needs.

I encourage households with pressing accessibility needs to approach HDB for assistance, so that HDB can better understand their concerns and needs, and explore suitable options for them.

On Mr Ang’s suggestion, I thank him for it, and will consider his ideas together with those of other members as we continually review our schemes to help seniors and others with mobility challenges access their homes.