OLDER HDB ESTATES (Upgrading of facilities)

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development whether there are plans to upgrade some facilities in older Housing and Development Board estates to cater to the needs of aging residents.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, HDB will be taking the opportunity under its Upgrading and Redevelopment Programmes to improve facilities in the older HDB estates to cater to the needs of the aging residents. Examples of facilities that will be provided under the Upgrading Programme to meet the needs of the aging residents include:

(i) provision of external ramps for easy accessibility to the blocks;

(ii) creation of more landscaped areas to facilitate social interaction among the older residents. In addition, in some blocks, it would also be feasible to provide lift landings on each floor.

As the Upgrading Programme will span a 10-15 year period, certain improvement works might need to be carried out ahead of the normal schedule for the Upgrading Programme. My Ministry is, therefore, considering expanding the scope of the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) to allow such improvements to be implemented in advance of the Upgrading Programme.

In redeveloping older HDB estates, such as Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah and Queenstown, HDB has been adopting a set of comprehensive design guidelines, formulated in consultation with the Ministry of Community Development and other social agencies, and we will design more user-friendly housing blocks and incorporate facilities for older residents. For example, lift landings are provided on every floor in new HDB blocks. Ramps and walkways are also provided, wherever necessary, to facilitate the mobility of the aged and the handicapped.

Dr S. Vasoo (Tanjong Pagar GRC): Sir, will Tiong Bahru Housing Estate, which is the oldest estate, be considered as a priority under this Upgrading Programme?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, everybody wants priority. I have said that since the Upgrading Programme will take a long time, we will do some of the other types of works under the CIPC programme. It is entirely up to the MPs to put forward suggestions. They know what is allocated for each constituency. They will have to decide what should come first.