Desmond Lee: 140 HDB blocks still lack lift access as over 5,000 upgraded under LUP since 2001

SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Desmond Lee revealed in Parliament on 18 February that when the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) commenced in 2001, there were 5,300 HDB blocks without full lift access.

Since then, over 5,000 blocks have been upgraded, leaving about 140 blocks where LUP remains unfeasible.

He advised that households facing extenuating circumstances due to medical or mobility challenges may apply for the Lift access Housing Grant (LHG) of up to S$30,000 to assist them in relocating to a new or resale flat with direct lift access.

For seniors with mobility difficulties who also face financial constraints, he recommended considering Community Care Apartments or 2-room Flexi flats on a shorter lease.

Eligible applicants benefit from priority under the Senior Priority Scheme, even if they have previously purchased two subsidised flats.

Lee was responding to Parliamentary Questions (PQs) filed by West Coast GRC MP Ang Wei Neng and Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ng Ling Ling.

Ang inquired whether priority could be granted to owners of segmented HDB units lacking direct lift access when they apply for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, particularly if they have mobility-challenged household members.

Ng sought clarification on alternative assistance for senior residents ineligible for the LUP beyond the LHG, given their financial limitations in affording resale flats and lower chances of securing new flats as second-time buyers.

She also requested data on the proportion of affected units where residents successfully utilised the LHG in the past three years.

51 Approved, 9 Under Review: Lift Access Housing Grant Applications Since 2020

In response, Lee stated that in the past five years, second- and nth-timer seniors who booked 2-room Flexi flats or Community Care Apartments were able to do so within two tries on average.

In addition to the LHG, which offers up to S$30,000 for families and S$15,000 for singles, seniors who right-size to a 3-room or smaller HDB flat and contribute proceeds from their existing property sale into their CPF Retirement Account may also benefit from the Silver Housing Bonus of up to S$30,000.

This scheme aims to help seniors secure suitable housing to meet mobility needs while providing additional cash for retirement.

Since the implementation of the LHG in 2020, HDB has received 67 complete applications, of which 51 were approved, while 9 remain under evaluation, Lee added.

Successful applicants can use the grant to purchase a flat directly from HDB—such as a 2-room Flexi flat on a shorter lease or a Community Care Apartment—or from the resale market based on their budget and needs.

"I encourage households with pressing accessibility needs to approach HDB for assistance so that HDB can better understand their concerns and explore suitable options," Lee stated.

MP Calls for BTO Priority for Owners of Segmented Flats Without Lift Access, Citing Mobility Challenges

In a supplemetary questions, MP Ang asked how many segmented HDB units without direct lift access remain in Singapore, noting that in his Nanyang ward alone, 224 units across 14 blocks face this issue.

He highlighted that original owners prioritized privacy over lift access decades ago but now struggle with lower resale values and difficulty selling their flats.

He urged the government to grant priority to such owners, especially those with mobility-challenged family members, when applying for BTO flats with lift access.

In response, Lee stated that he did not have the exact number of segmented HDB units without lift access.

He highlighted that since LUP began in 2001, over 5,000 blocks have been upgraded, leaving about 140 blocks where LUP remains unfeasible.

He assured that HDB will continue exploring technical solutions and refining schemes to assist affected residents.

MP Ng separately highlighted that 10 out of 142 blocks in her Jalan Kayu ward face lift access issues.

Despite explaining HDB schemes to residents for nearly five years, none of them have utilised the LHG.

She noted that many elderly residents wish to age in place due to sentimental attachment to their homes, but the lack of lift access presents a major challenge.

Ng asked when the last technical and cost assessment for lift installation in these blocks was conducted and whether a higher subsidy could be considered, particularly if there is a budget surplus.

She pointed out that lift installation costs in these blocks are significantly higher, making co-payment unaffordable for residents.

Exploring Feasibility of Further Lift Upgrading

In response, Lee reaffirmed that HDB continues to explore both technical and programmatic solutions to assist residents with mobility challenges.

He revealed that the remaining 140 blocks where LUP is unfeasible face significant technical and cost challenges, with some lift installations exceeding S$100,000 per unit.

Over the years, HDB has tested multiple solutions, including machine roomless lifts, vertical platform lifts, and long bridges, but some were found to be ineffective or impractical.

"We continue to conduct hackathons and collaborate with research agencies to identify new solutions for residents," Lee stated.

MP Proposes Partial Lift Upgrading and Higher Subsidies for Unserved Blocks

Bukit Panjang SMC MP Liang Eng Hwa asked if HDB could proceed with lift upgrading in blocks where some units can accommodate lifts while others cannot.

He also questioned whether HDB would consider increasing subsidies to enable more of the remaining 140 blocks to qualify for LUP.

Lee responded that HDB is open to studying cases where partial lift access is feasible and invited the MP to discuss specific blocks with HDB. On funding, he emphasised that HDB prioritises cost-effective solutions while remaining committed to improving lift access for affected residents.

"That is why from 5,300 blocks at the start of the LUP exercise in 2001, we now have 140 remaining, and we continue to seek ways to assist," he concluded.

MPs Have Raised the Lift Access Issue in Parliament Regularly

MPs have continuously raised concerns about HDB blocks without direct lift access, particularly those built before 1990.

In 2021, Desmond Lee revealed that about 150 blocks under LUP were still without lift access due to technical and cost constraints.

In 2018, then-Hougang MP Png Eng Huat from Workers' Party proposed polling residents on co-sharing upgrade costs, but HDB found the financial burden too high.

HDB has yet to find viable solutions for these blocks, with cost considerations affecting about 70% of them.