Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on incorporating elderly-friendly, child-friendly and disabled-friendly internal and external features to ensure the relevance of HDB flats through all life stages

Nov 3, 2021

Mr Chong Kee Hiong: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry will consider incorporating elderly-friendly, child-friendly and disabled-friendly internal and external features to ensure the relevance of HDB flats through all life stages; and (b) what has been the take-up rate of the Enhancement for Active Seniors programme to improve mobility and comfort for elderly residents since its introduction in 2012.

Answer:

Since 2006, all new HDB developments have been built with universal design principles and barrier-free access, to create an environment that is user-friendly for all. For example, at the precinct-level, barrier-free routes link up blocks with major activity nodes. HDB also provides features such as 3-Generation playgrounds, where playgrounds for children are located beside fitness stations for adults and seniors. For better wayfinding, HDB has started designing estates with features to facilitate easier recognition of places, such as larger font sizes for block numbers and the use of icons.

Universal design features are also included in the HDB blocks and flats, such as wider corridors to facilitate wheelchair movement and rocker switches that are mounted at lower heights.

To help HDB residents to age in place, HDB provides senior-friendly items to enhance the safety and mobility of our seniors in existing HDB flats through the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme. As of end Sep 2021, the EASE programme has benefitted more than 242,000 households.

HDB also offers short-lease 2-room Flexi flats to meet the housing needs of seniors. These flats are fitted upfront with grab bars, and seniors can choose from three Optional Component Scheme packages to pre-install selected fittings. In addition, HDB, MND and MOH have launched the Community Care Apartments (CCA), a new public housing typology that integrates senior-friendly design features with care services, and facilitates community building through social programmes and communal spaces. The first CCA pilot at Bukit Batok was launched for sale in Feb 2021, and we are studying plans for future CCA.

In line with HDB’s “Designing for Life” roadmap, HDB will continue to anticipate future needs and develop initiatives            to enhance residents’ well-being across different life stages.