Older HDB estates are getting another round of attention. More than 18,000 flats across 198 blocks in 12 towns have been selected for the latest batch of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), with the Government setting aside over $253 million for the upgrading works.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of National Development and HDB in mid-May 2026, with Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah highlighting the exercise during a visit to Bukit Batok East. In that estate alone, more than 1,600 households across 14 blocks are part of the latest selection.
What the latest HIP batch covers
HIP targets the everyday wear-and-tear problems that creep up on flats built decades ago — think spalling concrete and ceiling leaks. The mandatory works deal with these structural and safety issues, while homeowners can layer on optional upgrades such as new entrance and grille doors, upgraded refuse chute hoppers and refreshed bathrooms.
The 198 blocks in this round are spread across 12 towns, including several mature estates where flats have aged well past the 25-year mark:
| Towns in this HIP batch |
|---|
| Bedok |
| Bishan |
| Bukit Batok |
| Jurong West |
| Pasir Ris |
| Sengkang |
| Serangoon |
| Tampines |
| Woodlands |
Eligible households will be contacted by HDB with the detailed scope of works, and residents can also check their flat’s status through the HDB website.
How much homeowners actually pay
The headline figure most owners care about is the out-of-pocket cost — and HIP is heavily subsidised for Singapore citizen households. Depending on flat type, citizen owners pay between 5% and 12.5% of the cost of the standard works, with the Government covering the rest.
| Flat type | Citizen household pays | Share of cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5-room | $1,199.00 | 10% |
| Executive | $1,498.75 | 12.5% |
EASE: age-friendly fittings as Singapore turns “super-aged”
Flats selected for HIP also unlock the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme, which lets households add senior-friendly fittings at a subsidised rate — grab bars, slip-resistant treatment for bathroom floor tiles, foldable shower seats and ramps among them. EASE was enhanced in 2024 to include rocker light switches and home fire alarm devices.
The timing is deliberate. Singapore officially becomes a “super-aged” society in 2026, with about 21% of the population aged 65 and above. Modest fixtures like a grab bar or a non-slip floor are exactly the kind of changes that help seniors stay safely in homes they have lived in for decades. Indranee Rajah encouraged residents to nudge older family members to take up the programme while the subsidies are on the table.
Since EASE began in 2012, around 379,000 households have benefited, with roughly $190 million spent on accessibility upgrades.
The bigger picture — and why it matters for older flats
HIP is one of Singapore’s longest-running public housing maintenance efforts. Since its 2007 launch, the Government has spent about $5 billion on the programme. Roughly 512,000 flats — about 9 in 10 eligible flats — have been selected to date, and close to 409,000 have already completed their upgrading.
For owners and buyers, the read-through is straightforward. Steady reinvestment in ageing blocks helps keep older estates liveable and structurally sound, which matters for a resale market where a meaningful slice of stock is well into its second or third decade. A flat that has been through HIP arrives with refreshed common areas and updated fittings, removing some of the “needs work” hesitation that can weigh on viewings of older units. It is not a substitute for doing your own due diligence on lease decay or renovation needs, but it is a tailwind worth factoring in when you compare an upgraded older flat against a pricier newer one.
Estate-level upgrades are running in parallel
HIP works on individual flats; the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) works on the spaces between them — covered linkways, fitness corners, playgrounds and the like. In April, 17 NRP projects worth more than $130 million were announced for estates including Canberra, Hougang and Toa Payoh, benefiting close to 20,000 households. Town councils are continuing to gather residents’ feedback on what they want to see in their precincts.
Taken together, the message is one Singapore tends to act on quietly: as new launches grab the headlines, mature estates are not being left to age out.
What’s next
If your block is in this batch, expect HDB to reach out with the scope of works and an indication of timing. In the meantime, residents can confirm eligibility on the HDB website, and households with seniors should look closely at the EASE options before works begin — retrofitting age-friendly fittings is far easier while the contractors are already on site.