HDB 1- AND 2-ROOM FLATS (Plans for refurbishment)

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development whether there are plans to refurbish some one- and two-room retained Housing and Development Board flats.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, at present, 1- and 2-room flats are available as rental housing for the lower income groups. Some of the existing rental flats are, however, poorly designed and ventilated. Our long-term objective is to raise the minimum standard of rental housing to that of a 2-room flat. Existing 1-room flats, which are poorly designed, will be phased out gradually. 2-room flats that are identified for retention in the long term will be refurbished under the Upgrading Programme. For a start, a total of 716 units of two-room rental flats located in three demonstration precincts of the Upgrading Programme will be upgraded with the sold flats in these precincts.