Number of HDB Blocks Qualified for Home Improvement Programme

26 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the total number of HDB blocks that qualify for the Home Improvement Program (HIP); (b) how many blocks have been selected for HIP by December 2016; and (c) whether HDB can consider announcing the precincts selected for HIP in 2017 and 2018 by the first quarter of 2017.

Mr Lawrence Wong: The Home Improvement Programme (HIP) was introduced in 2007 with about 3,000 eligible blocks. Blocks built up to 1986 and have not undergone the Main Upgrading Programme are eligible for HIP.

To date, HIP has been announced for more than 2,000 blocks.

The next nomination exercise to select blocks to undergo HIP is scheduled to take place in early financial year 2017. Like the last exercise for 2015 and 2016, we are planning to select the HIP projects for 2017 and 2018 at one go, so that residents who may have plans to renovate their flats can make a better-informed decision.