Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on Lift Upgrading Programme

Jul 11, 2018

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for National Development 

a) whether he can provide an update on the number of HDB blocks that are not given lift upgrading due specifically to the funding cap; and 

b) whether HDB will consider polling the residents in these affected blocks to explore the possibility of co-sharing the amount beyond the funding cap to have lift access at their floors.

Answer:

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. LUP was initially found to be unfeasible for more than 1,000 of these blocks due to cost or technical constraints. 

Over the years, HDB has adopted innovative technical solutions to provide such blocks with lift access. Through these efforts, the vast majority of the 5,300 blocks have since been able to benefit from LUP, and there remain only about 150 blocks where HDB has not found any solutions to overcome existing constraints.  About 70% of these 150 blocks are not eligible for lift upgrading due to cost considerations.  In total, less than 1% of sold flats do not have direct lift access. 

For some of the blocks where LUP is not feasible, the cost of providing 100% lift access would be prohibitive.  In addition, asking residents to co-share part of the amount beyond the cost cap may cause undue hardship to residents. LUP is done on a polling basis and if the poll is successful, those who do not vote in favour of LUP still have to pay their share of the cost.  

Singaporeans who are in urgent need of direct lift access due to medical conditions or disability may approach HDB for housing and financial assistance. HDB will assess each request on a case-by-case basis to see how best to render help. For these remaining blocks, HDB continues to look at available technical and innovative solutions to see how we can provide for these blocks, and as and when they become available, we will make the option possible.