According to the latest figures provided by HDB, as at March 31 this year, 95% or about 305,000 eligible flats had been renovated under the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). A further 11,000 flats are still being refurbished and about 1% are still waiting for residents to vote on whether to support the programme. HDB flats selected for the HIP must be voted for by at least 75% of residents.

In 2018, it was announced that the Home Improvement Scheme would be extended to HDB flats built between 1987 and 1997, which means that a further 230,000 flats would be included. To date, about 93,000 flats have been selected for the scheme. Of these, 1,200 flats have been renovated and renovation works are in progress for another 55,000 flats. From 2007 to 31 March 2022, the Government has invested S$3.69 billion under the scheme.

The Singapore Home Improvement Programme is divided into three main segments namely Essential Projects, Optional Projects and Enhancement For Active Seniors (EASE).

According to the latest figures provided by HDB, more than 283,900 households have applied for EASE since it was launched in 2012. Of these, about 176,000 households have chosen to install pro-ageing facilities as part of their home improvement plans. Another 107,900 applied directly to HDB. From 2012 to 31 March 2022, the Government has invested S$110 million under the Age Friendly Scheme.

As at 31 March this year, over 5,600 HDB flats with three steps or less outside the door have been fitted with customised or portable ramps, of which about 4,450 ramps were installed under the Easy-Age Scheme and the rest under the Home Improvement Scheme.

Apart from the provision of ramps, HDB also launched a pilot wheelchair lift scheme in 2018 to assist tenants who have multiple steps outside their doors and are constrained by space constraints, such as small space in HDB corridors and distance from HDB staircases, to install ramps for easy access. As at 31 March this year, HDB has installed 16 wheelchair lifts.

The Age Friendly Scheme allows eligible senior citizens to choose the necessary age-friendly facilities for their HDB flats, including handrails, ramps and non-slip floor tiles.

With effect from 4 April, HDB will expand the range of age-friendly facilities under the Easy-Age Scheme to include wheelchair lifts and customised ramps with three or more steps outside the door. An annual maintenance fee of S$129.60 (including GST) will be charged from the second year after the installation of the wheelchair lift.

In addition, transport operator Canford High Group donated S$200,000 to the Lions Friends of the Elderly Association and the VTC U Care Fund to support the elderly care programmes of both organisations, benefiting over 700 senior citizens.

The donation will be used to support the organisations' programmes, including Personal Care at Home, Senior Group Home and Community Care and Counselling programmes, which help approximately 650 senior citizens.

The NTUC U Care Fund will use the donation to provide medium to long-term care services for the physical and mental health of the elderly, which is expected to benefit about 60 people.