In a significant expansion of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) have announced that an additional 53,000 HDB flats across Singapore, including areas like Jurong West, Hougang, Woodlands, and Pasir Ris, are slated for upgrades.

This initiative, which involves a substantial investment exceeding $742 million, aims to enhance the living conditions in aging public housing estates, addressing issues caused by long-term wear and tear.

Since its launch in 2007, HIP has progressively targeted older flats that require essential maintenance and upgrades. To date, about 410,000 flats have been earmarked for these improvements, with around 370,000—nearly 90 percent—already benefiting from the upgrades.

This extensive programme reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the quality and safety of public housing, with an investment totalling about $4 billion over the past 17 years.

Key Components of HIP:

HIP is structured around two main components:

1. Essential Improvements: These are fundamental upgrades necessary to meet the basic structural and safety standards of older flats. They are fully funded by the government for Singaporean households, ensuring that residents have secure and up-to-date living spaces without the burden of additional costs.
2. Optional Improvements: In addition to the essential works, flat owners can opt for various enhancements, such as the replacement of old fittings or the installation of new features. These improvements are offered at a heavily subsidised rate, where Singapore Citizen households pay as little as five percent of the total costs, depending on their flat type. This scheme allows residents to customise their living spaces according to their preferences and needs.

Enhancements in Repair Methods:

A significant upgrade in the programme is the introduction of an enhanced method for addressing spalling concrete, a common issue in older buildings where the steel reinforcement bars within concrete structures begin to corrode. This problem is particularly prevalent in high-moisture areas like bathrooms.

The new Corrosion Resistant Repair (CRR) method involves several steps:

• Removal of loose concrete and cleaning of rust from exposed steel bars.
• Application of an anti-corrosion coating on the steel bars to prevent further rusting.
• Application of a corrosion-retardant coating across the entire bathroom ceiling to protect against moisture and corrosive substances.
• Application of a bonding agent to enhance the adhesion of the protective coatings to the concrete surfaces.
• A final layer of paint to seal and finish the ceiling.

This comprehensive approach not only targets the immediate repair needs but also significantly reduces the likelihood of future deterioration in the treated areas. Initiated as a trial in November 2021, the method has been tested in over 300 flats undergoing HIP upgrades.

So far, these flats have shown no recurrence of spalling, attesting to the effectiveness of the new treatment.

While the CRR method is more costly and time-consuming, it is currently implemented only in bathrooms due to their higher exposure to damaging conditions. For other areas of the flat, such as kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, the existing localised repair method continues to be effective and is maintained as the standard approach.

Ongoing Commitment and Future Plans:

As HDB continues to implement HIP across Singapore, its commitment to enhancing the comfort and safety of its residents remains steadfast. The board is also dedicated to exploring and leveraging new technologies and innovative solutions to improve the livability and sustainability of HDB estates.

Through these efforts, HIP not only addresses immediate maintenance needs but also ensures the long-term resilience and desirability of Singapore’s public housing.