Take-up for Enhancement for Active Seniors Programme and Plans to Build Elderly-, Child- and Disabled-friendly Features in HDB Flats and Estates

10 Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry will consider incorporating elderly-friendly, child-friendly and disabled-friendly internal and external features to ensure the relevance of HDB flats through all life stages; and (b) what has been the take-up rate of the Enhancement for Active Seniors programme to improve mobility and comfort for elderly residents since its introduction in 2012.

The Minister of State for National Development (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, since 2006, all new HDB developments have been built with universal design principles and barrier-free access to create an environment that is user-friendly for all. For example, at the precinct-level, barrier-free routes link up blocks with major activity nodes. HDB also provides features, such as three-generation playgrounds, where playgrounds for children are located beside fitness stations for adults and seniors. For better wayfinding, HDB has started designing estates with features to facilitate easier recognition of places, such as larger font sizes for block numbers and the use of icons. Universal design features are also included in the HDB blocks and flats, such as wider corridors to facilitate wheelchair movement and rocker switches that are mounted at lower heights.

To help HDB residents to age in place, HDB provides senior-friendly items to enhance the safety and mobility of our seniors in existing HDB flats through the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme.

As of end September 2021, the EASE programme has benefited more than 242,000 households. HDB also offers short-lease two-room Flexi flats to meet the housing needs of seniors. These flats are fitted upfront with grab bars and seniors can choose from three Optional Component Scheme packages to pre-install selected fittings. In addition, HDB, MND and MOH have launched the Community Care Apartments (CCA), a new public housing typology that integrates senior-friendly design features with care services, and facilitates community building through social programmes and communal spaces. The first CCA pilot at Bukit Batok was launched for sale in Feb 2021 and we are studying plans for future CCA.

In line with HDB’s “Designing for Life” roadmap, HDB will continue to anticipate future needs and develop initiatives to enhance residents’ well-being across different life stages.

Mr Speaker: Mr Chong Kee Hiong.

Mr Chong Kee Hiong (Bishan-Toa Payoh): I thank the Minister of State for his reply. There are HDB units built on the ground level, with a few steps leading to the door. Not all units have sufficient common areas where a ramp could be built to facilitate wheelchair access. Can the Minister of State please share what feedback have they received on the pilot Wheelchair Lifter Programme? Can HDB roll out this programme to all the estates soonest?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, we launched the wheelchair lifters programme in December 2018 as a pilot programme, whereby about 10 households have participated and 10 wheelchair lifters have been installed. The feedback that we have received so far has been quite positive. The seniors found it easy to use and also it encourages the seniors to go out to the community more regularly than before. We are reviewing the scheme and we will take note of the Member's suggestion and request in our review.