Seniors living in older HDB flats with multi-step entrances can now get highly subsidised ramps that will make their lives easier. Under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme, HDB will offer two new improvement items — a portable ramp and a customised ramp — suitable for the majority of HDB flats with multi-step entrances.
The portable ramps are suitable for units with sufficient space in front of their entrances, such as corner units, and can be dismantled when not in use. Conversely, the customised ramps will be fabricated according to each unit’s configuration, and are better suited for corridor units.
Under EASE, the Government will pay up to 95% of the cost of the improvement items, depending on the flat type. This means that eligible flat owners would have to pay only about $35 to $87.50 for a portable ramp and $80 to $200 for a customised ramp.
Residents whose flats are undergoing the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) can opt for the ramps under EASE, while residents whose flats are not undergoing HIP can apply directly to HDB under EASE (Direct Application). To be eligible, the flat owner must be a Singapore Citizen (SC), with at least one household member aged 65 years old and above who is a wheelchair user, or aged between 60 and 64 years old and requires assistance for one or more of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
In cases where ramps cannot be installed due to site constraints like the block layout or lack of available corridor space, HDB may offer flat owners a lightweight and compact mechanical wheelchair lifter suitable for use in HDB estates. This is a separate pilot scheme that is not part of the EASE programme. Under this scheme, the Government will subsidise half the cost of the lifter for SC households.
As Singapore’s population ages, HDB will continue to look into making our towns and homes more elderly-friendly.