The re-poll included four HDB blocks that had not previously received enough votes for HIP

SINGAPORE – Four HDB blocks that had previously failed to receive enough votes for the Home Improvement Program (HIP) have been allowed to re-vote.

The one block in Serangoon and three in Lengkong Tiga finally received enough votes to cross the 75 per cent threshold and upgrade work was carried out, HDB said on November 28 in response to queries from The Straits Times.

This comes after two blocks of houses in Tiong Bahru were recently built in 1949

With a narrow majority, she failed to collect enough votes for the HIP

The poll results released on November 21st showed that there are one or two votes.

Residents were disappointed with the result as they had hoped for improvements to their aging apartments.

HDB said the previous cases of unsuccessful elections occurred in 2017 in Block 316 Serangoon Ave 2 and in 2023 in Blocks 101, 104 and 108 of Lengkong Tiga.

Inspections revealed that the Serangoon block, built in 1984, has eight executive apartments. The Lengkong Tiga apartment blocks, built in 1988 and 1989, each have 10 to 55 executive apartments.

A reason commonly cited by residents who checked out of these blocks was that they had recently completed renovations, HDB said.

Some of them other flat owners had appealed and HDB decided to conduct a fresh survey after taking into account factors such as the MP's submissions on residents' level of support for the HIP and the contractorThe schedule of work in the district.

The HIP was launched in 2007 to upgrade older housing developments and address common maintenance issues such as spalling concrete. It will only be carried out if at least 75 percent of eligible Singaporean households in a bloc have voted for it. Permanent resident households are not eligible to vote.

If the vote passes, residents will have to undergo some mandatory work, such as repairing peeling concrete, but will be able to opt out of other improvements such as bathroom upgrades.

Although the HDB did not say whether a re-poll was planned for the two Tiong Bahru blocks, it said it was discussing the next course of action with Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Foo Cexiang.

In Block 35 Lim Liak Street, which has 15 households, 11 voted for the HIP while four did not vote. Only one more “yes” vote was needed to reach the voting threshold.

Of the 24 residential units in Block 34 Kim Cheng Street, 16 households voted in favor of the HIP, two voted against and six did not vote. In order to pass the voting threshold, two more votes were required.

The two blocks were among 29 in the neighborhood that voted in early November on whether to make HIP improvements. The vote was successful for the other 27 blocks. The 29 blocks of four-storey walk-up apartments were built by the Singapore Improvement Trust, HDB's predecessor.

Mr Robin Loi, 70, who has lived in his three-bedroom apartment in Block 34 since the 1970s, said he hoped that instead of re-surveying, authorities could make some improvements to the apartments in need of modernization as a compromise.

The retired administrative officer said the cast iron pipes in his service yard, which were repaired after they broke three years ago, were still leaking.

“Many of the units here have new owners and are newly renovated. I understand if they don't support HIP because that would worry them. Some owners also can't be contacted,” he said.

“I just want my leaky pipes replaced; the other improvements are not necessary.”

A 53-year-old resident, who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan, said a new survey could give residents another opportunity to express their views if their circumstances or perspectives had changed.

“For those who voted, I'm not sure a re-poll would make much of a difference, but it might still be worth seeing how opinions evolved,” said the graphic designer, who voted for the HIP.

HDB said it will provide all apartment owners with an information pack about the program ahead of the HIP poll in each district, including a guide, answers to frequently asked questions and a proxy form for those unable to vote in person.

During the election period, an exhibition and model unit will be set up where residents can view HIP improvement items such as the gate designs and the upgraded toilet.

“This will enable residents to better understand the HIP program benefits they can look forward to and make an informed decision while proceeding with the official HIP survey,” HDB said.

These measures have been taken for the 29 blocks in Tiong Bahru, it said.

HDB added that majority approval was required for a block to be subject to the HIP as most mandatory improvement works, such as replacing sewer pipes, would be carried out in all residents' apartments.

Typically, a preliminary survey is conducted to determine homeowner support for the HIP. If the results show enough support, the official poll will proceed.

Based on a preliminary survey conducted in early 2025, all 29 blocks could have crossed the 75 percent threshold, Mr. Foo said in a Facebook post on November 25.

A previous survey in 2019 had suggested that 10 blocks would not meet the threshold and it was subsequently decided to postpone the HIP.

Mr Foo told ST that he planned to consult residents at a town hall on December 3 about their further options.