The Ministry of National Development is accelerating its Home Improvement Programme (HIP).
Over the next few years, the ministry will be increasing its budget for the programme by some 20 per cent.
Minister of State Lee Yi Shyan said the programme will cover 160,000 more flats over the next five years.
But said the issue of industry capacity will also have to be considered.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of National Development, said: “As we ramp up BTO flat construction… whether we have enough contractors that are able to carry out the work is another bottle neck. We will implement as fast as we can, as fast as the industry can absorb and address as many households as possible.”
Mr Lee also addressed the 8,300 cases of spalling concrete reported annually, saying it is a result of natural wear and tear as buildings age.
He advised flat owners to regularly upkeep their own homes or make use of HDB’s Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme that helps the affected units co-pay the repair cost.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 9 Jan 2012