Requests for Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme to Redevelop Aged Housing Estates
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Foo Mee Har’s inquiry on whether the Ministry for National Development would consider resident requests for the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) for deteriorating housing estates aged between 50 and 70 years. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee replied that while maintenance is a shared responsibility, upgrading programmes like the Home Improvement Programme ensure flats remain liveable. He explained that VERS aims to stage the redevelopment of ageing towns in an orderly manner, considering resident feedback, construction capacity, and the balance between older and newer precincts. The Ministry is also evaluating the specific mechanics for polling and relocation to ensure residents have sufficient housing options and support. Detailed plans for the scheme are currently being finalized and will be shared by the Ministry in due course.
Transcript
70 Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for National Development for ageing Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats of more than 50 years old but less than 70 years old and which have substantially deteriorated or are facing substantial recurring maintenance issues, whether the Ministry will consider requests from the residents of such flats for the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) to redevelop their precinct if there is sufficient support.
Mr Desmond Lee: As flats age, they will naturally deteriorate due to wear and tear. Flat owners, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Town Councils all have a part to play to ensure that our flats and estates continue to be in good condition.
Flat owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the interior of their flats. Town Councils carry out routine and cyclical maintenance and repair of common property, including repair of spalling concrete and repainting of the building façade. HDB and Town Councils carry out periodic inspections to detect and rectify building deterioration in a timely manner. HDB also implements the Home Improvement Programme for flats that reach around 30 years old, to address common maintenance issues and provide improvements within flats. Flats that reach 60 to 70 years old will receive another round of upgrading. Through these efforts, our HDB flats and estates will continue to be liveable even as they age.
The primary objective of VERS is to stage out the redevelopment of ageing towns in an orderly manner. We will consider resident feedback, alongside other broader considerations for the staging of Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS). For example, we will need to carefully and sensitively stage VERS in the older parts of each town, while minimising dis-amenities to residents in newer parts. We will also need to ensure sufficient construction capacity to support both VERS and new housing demand.
We are also working through the package for VERS and the detailed mechanics and processes for polling and relocation. We want to ensure that residents' needs are taken care of, that there will be sufficient new homes at the right time for them and a range of housing options to meet the needs and aspirations of Singaporeans at different life stages.
We are working through the details and plans and will share more details in due course.