Written answer by Ministry of National Development on lift accessibility at HDB blocks

Sep 10, 2024

Question No:  6552, 6553, 6589

Question by:  Mr Ang Wei Neng, Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Liang Eng Hwa

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of households from the 140 HDB blocks island-wide that do not have direct lift access on the same floor; (b) how many households have applied for the Lift Access Housing Grant (LAHG) since its inception and of which, how many are successful in their applications; and (c) whether HDB will consider enhancing the LAHG of $30,000 for residents who are in urgent need of direct lift access due to medical conditions or mobility reasons.

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how many HDB households are still affected by not having a lift at their storey; and (b) how many HDB households have been helped by HDB to transit to alternative housing.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Government will further raise the Lift Upgrading Programme cost cap for the remaining HDB flats that have yet to have direct lift access on the same floor; and (b) whether HDB will consider open-sourcing alternative engineering solutions and ideas to bring about lift accessibility for these flats.

Answer:

The Lift Upgrading Programme, or LUP in short, was introduced in 2001. Since then, HDB has successfully implemented LUP in more than 5,000 blocks which were originally built without direct lift access to every floor. Today, around 99% of all HDB blocks were either built with direct lift access or benefitted from the LUP.

There remains about 1% of blocks comprising around 2,000 flats which have not been offered LUP due to high costs or technical constraints. In some cases, the cost can be more than $200,000 per benefiting household.

HDB has explored numerous alternative lift technologies, including vertical platform lifts, pneumatic vacuum elevators, wheelchair stair lifts, and portable equipment such as stairclimbers. However, they were assessed to be unfeasible for heavy residential use, or unsafe to be operated independently by residents already facing mobility challenges. Furthermore, some of these solutions will also encroach into staircases, and impede evacuation routes in the event of a fire.

HDB will continue to explore new technologies and adopt them where feasible. In the meantime, residents who are in need of direct lift access due to medical conditions or mobility reasons can apply for the Lift Access Housing Grant, or LHG in short, of up to $30,000 to help them buy another flat with direct lift access. 

Since the implementation of LHG in 2020, HDB has received 60 complete applications. Of these, 49 applications were approved, while 5 are currently under evaluation. Some residents have used the LHG to purchase units available within the same neighbourhood, so that they can continue to enjoy the familiarity of their neighbourhood and community.

I would like to assure Members that HDB will continue to look into ways to make HDB estates and blocks more accessible, to help residents with mobility challenges such as the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. I encourage households with accessibility needs to approach HDB to explore suitable options.