HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD UPGRADING PROGRAMME

Dr Jennifer Lee asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the total number of HDB units that (i) have already completed the Main Upgrading Programme and (ii) do not have lift landings on every floor; and (b) what has been the percentage of (i) uptake for the Lift Upgrading Programme, and (ii) rejections citing unaffordability as a reason.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: As at February 2003, some 65,000 units have completed the upgrading works under the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP). Of these, about 11,000 units are still without lift landings on every floor. These flats were selected for the MUP before the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) was introduced in 2001.

92% of blocks which have been polled for the LUP so far have voted in favour of the programme. Very few residents have cited unaffordability as a reason for not being in favour of LUP. This is because the Government subsidises between 75% and 90% of the cost of the LUP, and the remainder is co-shared by the resident and the Town Council. The share per household ranges from $600 to $3,000, with most households paying $1,000 or less. In addition, HDB extends financial assistance measures such as extension of the repayment period, to households who may have difficulty in paying for the LUP costs.