HDB Design Improvements for Enhanced Privacy Amid Declining Satisfaction Levels on Noise and Cleanliness
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns HDB design improvements and measures to address resident satisfaction regarding privacy, flat sizes, noise, and cleanliness as highlighted in the recent Sample Household Survey. Mr Yip Hon Weng inquired about specific enhancements for new estates and strategies to improve living conditions in existing developments. Minister Chee Hong Tat responded that over 90% of households are satisfied with their flats and explained that HDB continues to offer various flat types while ensuring privacy through strategic block spacing, frosted glass, and visual screens. He noted that noise is mitigated by orienting blocks away from traffic sources, while three in four households expressed satisfaction with current noise and cleanliness levels. Finally, the Minister emphasized that Town Councils oversee estate cleanliness, with the Ministry of National Development publishing annual performance reports to maintain high standards.
Transcript
61 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for National Development in view of the findings from the recent HDB Sample Household Survey (a) what design improvements will be implemented in new HDB estates to enhance privacy within flats, optimise flat sizes and mitigate traffic noise; and (b) what measures will be taken to address declining satisfaction levels regarding noise and cleanliness in existing HDB estates.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Sample Household Survey is conducted every five years, to better understand residents' changing needs and improve the public housing experience. Over 7,000 households across Singapore participated in the 2023/2024 survey. Based on the survey, more than nine in 10 households were satisfied with their flat, neighbourhood and estate facilities.
On flat sizes and privacy within flat, around nine in 10 households expressed satisfaction. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will continue to offer various flat types from 2-room Flexi to 3-Generation flats to meet the different needs of flat buyers. To enhance privacy, HDB ensures adequate spacing between blocks, designs flats with windows facing external landscapes rather than corridors and incorporates features, such as frosted glass panels for toilets and visual screens along common corridors.
For noise and cleanliness, three in four households expressed satisfaction, similar to the 2018 survey. Blocks near major roads and mass rapid transit tracks are orientated away from noise sources where possible. Town Councils are responsible for the cleanliness of their estates and the Ministry of National Development (MND) publishes an annual report on their performance.
MND and HDB will continue to improve the living environment for our residents, to maintain a high satisfaction level in public housing.