By The Address desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
HDB upgrades older flats and estates through several programmes, and most of the cost falls on the government. Under the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), essential repairs inside the flat are fully paid for citizen households, and optional items cost them 5% to 12.5% of the price, depending on flat type. Senior-friendly fittings under EASE are subsidised by up to 95%. The Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP), which improves blocks and precincts, is fully funded. HIP and NRP go ahead only if at least 75% of eligible households support them.
Quick facts
- HIP essential improvements: free for citizen households.
- HIP optional improvements: citizens pay 5% to 12.5%, by flat type.
- EASE senior fittings: subsidised by up to 95%.
- NRP block and precinct works: fully funded, run by town councils.
- HIP needs at least 75% of the block’s eligible citizen households to vote yes.
- PR households don’t vote and pay the full cost.
Which programme does what?
| Programme | What it covers | What citizen households pay |
|---|---|---|
| Home Improvement Programme (HIP) | Essential repairs such as spalling concrete and waste pipes; optional items such as toilet upgrades, a new entrance door and grille gate | Nothing for essential items; 5% to 12.5% of optional items |
| EASE | Senior-friendly fittings such as grab bars and ramps, with HIP or on their own | A small share; subsidised by up to 95% |
| Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) | Block and precinct improvements, chosen with residents’ feedback | Nothing |
| Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) | Lifts stopping at every floor; ran from 2001 to 2014 | Up to S$3,000 when it ran |
How does HIP work?
HDB shortlists precincts and writes to residents. Eligible citizen households then vote, choosing any optional and EASE items at the same time, and the programme proceeds if at least 75% vote in favour. Once it passes, the essential works go ahead in every flat. Flats get HIP at around 30 years old, and a second round, HIP II, is planned at around 60 to 70 years. PR households pay the full cost, but HDB refunds the subsidy if an owner becomes a citizen within a year of billing.
What if my block has no lift on my floor?
The Lift Upgrading Programme reached more than 5,000 blocks, and about 99% of HDB blocks now have direct lift access. For the rest, where lifts are too costly or technically impossible, the Lift access Housing Grant helps residents who need lift access buy another flat. Since April 2025 it has been worth up to S$80,000 for families and S$40,000 for singles.
The WahLiao Verdict
If your block is shortlisted, vote, because the essential repairs are free and a failed vote can leave an ageing flat without them. Choose optional items for what you’d otherwise replace yourself; at 5% to 12.5% of the cost, a new toilet or entrance door is rarely cheaper elsewhere.
Questions people ask
Is my flat due for HIP?
HDB publishes the shortlisted precincts and writes to residents when theirs is selected.
Can I get EASE without waiting for HIP?
Yes. Eligible households can apply for EASE directly. For private homes, EASE (Private) subsidises 75% of selected fittings, up to S$1,200, from the first quarter of 2026.
Which blocks get NRP?
Blocks built up to 1999 that haven’t had earlier block-level upgrading; the age limit was extended from 1995 in 2024.
Do upgrades change my lease?
No. Upgrading improves the flat; the lease keeps running.
Sources: gov.sg, what to know if your home is undergoing HIP; CPF Board on HIP and EASE subsidies; HDB, the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and lift access and the Lift access Housing Grant (April 2025); MND, rejuvenating towns and estates; PropertyGuru on optional co-payments.
Read next: What a 99-Year Lease Means · HDB Renovation Rules · Back to The Address
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