Over 36,000 HDB Households to Benefit From Upgrades in Their Neighbourhoods

New facilities, senior-friendly amenities planned for 17 projects and 12 precincts

- Isabelle Liew

Over 36,000 households living in HDB flats across Singapore are set to benefit from upgrades in their neighbourhoods under two different schemes. These upgrades could include the introduction of new facilities such as covered walkways, drop-off porches and senior-friendly amenities.

Under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP), 17 projects islandwide—including areas in Bukit Panjang and Sengkang—will get a $165 million facelift, National Development Minister Desmond Lee said on April 6.

These upgrades are expected to benefit more than 25,000 households.

HDB said on April 6 that improvements for each project under the NRP are tailored based on residents' feedback. Sheltered linkways, seating areas, fitness corners, drop-off porches and residents' corners are among the structures that could be built.

Separately, the Silver Upgrading Programme, which provides senior-friendly enhancements to older precincts that already underwent upgrading in the past, will be rolled out progressively to another 12 precincts. A precinct refers to a smaller area within a larger neighbourhood.

These precincts are in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah and Toa Payoh, and the enhancements will benefit 11,000 households, Mr Lee said.

Speaking at the Housing Board's Community Build Day held at a neighbourhood park in Toa Payoh, he added: "Now, HDB homes have a very special place in many Singaporeans' hearts, so we continuously want to keep them liveable and vibrant for residents and to refresh them to meet evolving needs over time."

Works under the NRP are fully funded by the Government.