Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on whether the Ministry has studied the utility of the LHG since its launch in March 2020 and the reasons for the low take-up rate of the LHG

May 10, 2021

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for National Development given that as at August 2020 only 17 applications for the Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG) are made out of the 2,000 HDB flats that have no direct lift access, whether the Ministry has studied the utility of the LHG since its launch in March 2020 and the reasons for the low take-up rate of the LHG.

Answer:

Prior to 2001, there were more than 5,300 HDB blocks without full direct lift access. In 2001, HDB launched the Lift Upgrading Programme, or LUP, to provide direct lift access to flats and enhance convenience for residents, especially the elderly and less mobile. Today, the vast majority of HDB residents enjoy direct lift access. 

There remain about 150 blocks, affecting about 2,000 units, where it is not presently possible to implement the LUP due to technical constraints or prohibitive costs. In some cases, the cost of implementing the LUP could be almost as high as that of a new flat. Hence, it would not be financially prudent to provide the LUP in such blocks. 

Therefore, while HDB continues to explore new methods to bring down implementation costs and overcome the technical constraints for the remaining flats, it introduced the Lift access Housing Grant, or LHG, in March 2020 to assist residents who urgently require direct lift access due to medical or mobility issues, to move into a flat with such access. 

As of Feb 2021, HDB received 28 complete applications for the LHG. Of these, 22 applications were approved, while 4 are under evaluation. Given that LHG recipients need to undertake relocation, it is intended for households with a significant need for direct lift access. We fully expect that the number of such households would be small. 

As the LHG was introduced recently, HDB will continue to monitor the situation and assess if further enhancements are necessary to meet the needs of HDB residents.