LIFT UPGRADING PROGRAMME AND INTERIM UPGRADING PROGRAMME

LIFT UPGRADING PROGRAMME AND INTERIM UPGRADING PROGRAMME

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(Fund allocation): **

28.

Dr Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for National Development whether the funds allocated for the Lift Upgrading Programme and Interim Upgrading Programme within the same group of blocks or precinct are transferable between both upgrading programmes.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The Interim Upgrading Programme (IUP) and Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) are two separate programmes, each with its own budget.

The IUP consists of interim upgrading works to improve facilities at precinct and block levels such as repainting of blocks and new covered linkways. These works are meant for all residents in the precinct and the Government fully funds the costs involved at $2,400 per flat.

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As for the LUP, this is offered to eligible HDB blocks to provide lifts that stop on every floor. There is a cap of $30,000 per benefiting unit. This cost cap is to ensure that lift upgrading is done in a cost-effective manner. The Government funds the bulk of the cost of providing lift upgrading, while benefiting residents and Town Councils co-pay a small proportion of the cost.

To minimise inconvenience to residents, these two programmes are sometimes offered together to applicable precincts as IUP Plus. However, as IUP and LUP have different objectives and funding considerations, it would not be appropriate to allow any transfer of budget between the two programmes even when they are being implemented concurrently as IUP Plus.

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