I filed a question for written answer from the Minister for National Development for an update on the Lift Upgrading Programme at the 4 July 2023 Parliament sitting, in particular how many HDB blocks still lack direct access to lifts and whether HDB will continue to retrofit units with direct access as new solutions become available.
This is the answer provided by the Government:
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied GRC) asked the Minister for National Development after the first round of the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) and subsequent retrofitting to provide direct lift access for more of HDB units (a) how many HDB blocks still have units without direct access to lifts; (b) where are these blocks located; (c) what are the criteria for the post-LUP retrofitting of such flats; and (d) whether HDB will continue to retrofit units with direct lift access as new design and technical solutions become available.
Mr Desmond Lee (Minister for National Development): To date, more than 5,000 HDB blocks have benefited under the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP). There are about 140 blocks island-wide without direct lift access where LUP will incur high cost and, in some cases, not be feasible due to existing technical and site constraints.
Over the years, HDB has piloted and adopted different design approaches and innovative technical solutions to bring direct lift access to more blocks under LUP. Some examples of the solutions that have been successfully implemented include machine room-less lifts, home lifts and bubble lifts.
There are some HDB blocks which have undergone LUP but do not have lifts stopping on the same floor level, due to technical constraints at the time of lift upgrading. For such flats, some residents need to climb about one flight of stairs to get to their units as compared to three or four flights of stairs prior to upgrading.
For blocks without direct lift access, HDB will continue to explore new technologies and adopt them where feasible. Residents who are in urgent need of direct lift access due to medical conditions or mobility reasons can apply for the Lift Access Housing Grant of up to $30,000 to help them buy another flat with direct lift access.
Source: Singapore Parliament Reports (Hansard)