Update on HDB's Goodwill Repair Assistance Scheme

60 Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for National Development (a) from 2013 to 2015, what is the number of HDB home owners who have been beneficiaries of the "Goodwill Repair Assistance" (GRA) scheme; and (b) whether HDB has received feedback that the shared percentage of 25% of the repair cost required of both the upper-floor and lower-floor units is unfair and unjustifiable for the homeowner living at the lower unit.

Mr Lawrence Wong: Under the Housing and Development Board (HDB) lease, the repair of ceiling leaks is the joint responsibility of the upper- and lower-floor flat owners. From time to time, HDB has received feedback from lower-floor flat owners about having to co-pay the repair costs of ceiling leaks.

To lessen the financial burden on flat owners faced with a leaking ceiling situation, HDB introduced the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme. Under this scheme, HDB will pay 50% of the ceiling leak repair cost. The remaining 50% is then shared equally between the upper- and lower-floor flat owners.

The GRA scheme not only reduces the financial burden on the lower-floor lessee but also helps expedite such repairs by assisting the upper-floor lessee as well. From 2013 to 2015, HDB assisted with about 22,900 ceiling leak repairs under the GRA scheme.

Notwithstanding this, lower-floor lessees who prefer not to use the GRA scheme and wish to approach their upper-floor neighbours to make their own arrangements are free to do so.