HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Column: 787

HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD:

(Lift Upgrading Programme): 10.

Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for National Development what are the steps being taken to ensure that the residents living in HDB flats which are eligible for the Lift Upgrading Programme but whose costs exceed the allowable budget cap of $30,000 per benefiting unit due to the design of their blocks are not disadvantaged.

11.

Ms Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB residents can get an early confirmation if their flats will undergo lift upgrading so that they can plan for their needs accordingly, such as selling away

Column: 788

their current flat and getting one that has lifts serving their floor.

The Minister of State for National Development (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien) (for the Minister for National Development): Sir, I would like to take Question Nos. 10 and 11 together.

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Sir, the Lift Upgrading Programme aims to bring 100% lift access to HDB blocks built before 1990 which do not have the lift stopping on every floor. As lift upgrading can be extremely costly for some types of blocks, we introduced a cost cap of $30,000 per benefiting unit to ensure that the LUP is carried out in a cost-effective manner.

For those blocks which currently exceed the cost cap, HDB has been working to bring down the cost through new lift technologies and procurement methods. My Minister informed Members at the Committee of Supply this year that an additional 250 previously-ineligible blocks had become eligible for the LUP. This was the result of HDB's introduction of new technologies, such as machine-roomless lifts (MRLs) and alternative materials for lift shaft cladding, as well as new methods of procurement.

Since then, HDB has explored other lift solutions for the HDB blocks that still exceeded the LUP cost cap. I am happy to inform Members that there has been further progress.

HDB will soon introduce new lift solutions, such as use of shaftless lifts, which are similar to 'bubble lifts' found in commercial complexes, and smaller types of lifts that are suitable for low-rise blocks. In addition, for blocks with internal voids which were previously expensive to retrofit with lifts due to the extensive structural works required, HDB

Column: 789

has found a more cost-effective method of providing lift upgrading by reconfiguring the lift access to flats located within such blocks.

With these new lift solutions, another 520 blocks will now be eligible for lift upgrading. As the track record has suggested, HDB will continue relentlessly to look for ways to bring down the costs further for the remaining blocks that still exceed the cost cap.

With regard to the question posed by Ms Lee Bee Wah, I am confident that HDB will manage to find cost-effective solutions for these flats. And because we expect more of these remaining blocks to qualify for LUP, it is premature at this point in time to advise any residents that their flats are currently not eligible for LUP. For residents who do need to move to a flat located on a lift landing floor urgently, HDB can assist them under the "Mutual Exchange of Flats" scheme or to look for another flat that meets their needs.

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): Sir, I am delighted to hear of this piece of great news. I am sure that the many thousands of residents staying in such blocks throughout the island will be greatly cheered by this announcement.

My supplementary question is this. Would MND or HDB be considering a kind of pilot scheme to adopt these new techniques? If so, I would like to volunteer any of my 32 blocks in Serangoon Central Avenues 1 and 2 for consideration.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Sir, our Ministry will definitely look into the request that Mr Seah has put forward.

Ms Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio): Sir, I have two supplementary questions. First, I understand that in Nee Soon South, there are six blocks which are not eligible for LUP. With these new technologies,

Column: 790

will all the six blocks get LUP? The second question is that, recently, the construction cost has gone up between 20%-30%. Does the $30,000 still stay there or will it be increased?

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Sir, I would like to advise Ms Lee Bee Wah to direct this question to HDB. We will look into the specific blocks in question and will work out the solution for her residents.

As to the cost of LUP, I would assure the Member of Parliament that we will continue to look for cost-effective ways to handle this. We do have a large programme to handle and it is a lot more cost-effective if we can focus on blocks that are eligible under the cost guidelines. Of course, if we have to, we will review the cost guidelines over time. But at this moment, we are working very hard to continuously pursue cost-effective methods so that we can stretch the dollar under the programme.

Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah): Sir, my supplementary questions are as follows.

Based on the research and experiments that HDB is doing for testing new shafts and new lift technologies, there are still some flats, I would say, that will still be disadvantaged. I think I have got quite a number in my estate - these are segmented flats. Theoretically, I think you have lifts on every floor. But on certain floors, they are really not accessible by lift. Where do these flats stand? Because as the residents grow older, they will feel the impact. And today, because the number of benefiting units are few, I do not think they qualify in the long term.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: I think the track record of HDB has shown that we will continue to look for solutions. We are very mindful of the requirements of the ageing population and, therefore, it is of priority for us to look for solutions. As I

Column: 791

have replied to Ms Lee Bee Wah, I would also suggest to Mr Zaqy to seek the advice of HDB on specific issues relating to the blocks.