Home Improvement Programme:
What Residents Can Expect

The Home Improvement Programme addresses deterioration that accumulates inside older HDB flats over decades of use — structural wear, plumbing that no longer meets current standards, and sanitary facilities designed to specifications from the 1970s and 1980s. Rather than leaving flat owners to organise these repairs individually, HDB coordinates the works block by block, covering the bulk of essential costs through public funding.

HIP has been running since 2007 and by the mid-2020s had been extended to cover flats built up to 1997 under a second phase (HIP II), announced in 2018. The two phases together represent one of the most extensive flat-level improvement efforts in Singapore's public housing history.

HDB flat, Singapore — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA

Mandatory works — covered by the government

When a block is selected for HIP, every flat in the block undergoes a set of mandatory improvements at no cost to the flat owner. These works address the most critical aspects of structural and infrastructure ageing:

Spalling concrete repairs

Concrete spalling occurs when moisture infiltrates the structure and corrodes the embedded steel reinforcing bars. The expanding rust causes chunks of concrete to break away. Left unaddressed, spalling can compromise both aesthetics and structural integrity. HIP workers inspect the entire flat ceiling, walls, and floor slab underside, and repair any affected sections.

Replacement of waste pipes

Original cast-iron waste pipes in older HDB flats are replaced with modern UPVC pipes. The older material corrodes over time, leading to leakages — sometimes between floors — and reduced flow capacity. This is among the more disruptive mandatory works, as it requires access from inside the flat and may involve brief periods where bathroom or kitchen drains are unavailable.

Upgrading of electrical supply

Older flats were wired for lower load capacities than contemporary households typically require. HIP upgrades the electrical supply to the flat, including the main distribution board, to accommodate modern appliance usage more safely.

Timber door replacement

Timber main doors on older flats are replaced with fire-rated steel doors that meet current safety standards. This work also includes a new door frame and associated hardware.

Optional works — resident-funded, partially subsidised

Beyond the mandatory scope, flat owners may elect to have additional works done during the same construction window. These are not free but benefit from a degree of government subsidy, and having them done during HIP avoids the need to coordinate separately with contractors later.

Bathroom upgrading

This is the most commonly chosen optional item. It involves replacing the toilet bowl, wash basin, floor trap, wall tiles in the wet areas, and associated fittings. The extent of work can range from a basic refresh to a more comprehensive reconfiguration depending on the flat type and selected package. Costs vary by flat type; HDB provides a specific quote during the consultation period before works begin.

Additional electrical points

Flat owners can request additional power sockets or lighting points to be installed during the construction phase, when cabling work is already underway. This is typically more cost-effective than arranging electrical additions independently after HIP concludes.

Ramped floor at main entrance

A floor ramp at the flat's main entrance is offered as an optional item, particularly relevant for households with elderly members or mobility-limited residents. The ramp smooths the threshold between the corridor and the flat interior.

Flat types and eligibility

HIP (the original phase) applies to flats in blocks built up to 1986 that have not previously undergone a Main Upgrading Programme (MUP). HIP II extends coverage to blocks built from 1987 to 1997. In both cases, the flat must be HDB-administered — flats that have been privatised or are otherwise outside the HDB system do not qualify.

Flat owners who have already sold their flat by the time HIP reaches their block do not receive the benefit directly — the improvement accrues to whoever owns the flat when works are carried out. For buyers considering older flats, it is worth checking whether HIP has already been completed, is scheduled, or the block is not yet in scope.

The balloting process

Before HIP proceeds in any block, HDB conducts a ballot among flat owners. If at least 75% of flat owners in the block vote in favour, works can proceed for the entire block — including flats whose owners voted against. If the 75% threshold is not reached, the block does not enter the programme at that time and may be reconsidered in a future round.

Flat owners who are away or otherwise unable to vote in person can typically submit their vote through a proxy or by post. HDB provides clear instructions on voting procedures in the notification materials sent to each flat owner.

What to expect during construction

Construction within the flat itself is carried out by HDB-appointed contractors during regular working hours. Residents are generally expected to be present or to make arrangements for contractor access. Works across the mandatory scope typically span several weeks, though the specific duration depends on the flat type, the extent of spalling found during initial inspection, and whether optional works have been selected.

During active works, residents should expect:

• Dust and construction noise during working hours
• Temporary unavailability of specific areas (bathroom, kitchen) during targeted works
• Coordination visits from HDB or Town Council representatives to check progress
• A post-completion inspection walkthrough to document completed works

Residents with particular concerns — for example, those with young children or elderly family members who spend extended time at home — are encouraged to raise these with HDB during the pre-works briefing.

Costs and subsidies

Mandatory works carry no cost to flat owners. For optional works, the cost depends on the specific items selected and the flat size. Eligible flat owners may also apply their CPF savings or housing grants toward the cost of optional components, subject to prevailing CPF rules at the time of works.

HDB publishes indicative cost ranges for each optional component. These figures are reviewed periodically and updated in line with construction cost movements. The most current figures are available at hdb.gov.sg.