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Better Yishun houses
“During my 32 years of living here, I have witnessed significant transformations. Initially, there was no MRT, few buses and the bus interchange was along the roadside, at Yishun Avenue 5. Now we have an improved transport system and shopping centres.
It’s a close-knit community too—I even leave my house keys with my Chinese neighbour when I go out. That’s why my daughter chose to keep living in Yishun even after her marriage. And I guess I’ll stay here till my very last day!”
Kamsin Mopit, Yishun resident (Quote from Nee Soon Link)
Like Mr Mopit’s daughter, many young residents want to keep living in Nee Soon after they get married. To help such families, the government has catered for thousands of new Yishun houses.
While we welcome new residents, we keep our older flats up-to-date with the latest amenities. In fact, nearly all blocks eligible for the various upgrading programmes- Home Improvement Programme, Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and Lift Upgrading Programme have started or completed their upgrading.
This does not happen by chance. For example, for the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, the Town Council has to pay for it first before getting reimbursed by HDB. So we have ensured our Town Council has healthy finances and maximises all chances to launch the programme.
The Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) refreshes blocks and precincts, with amenities like covered linkways, playgrounds, footpaths, pavilions, game courts, residents’ corners, etc.
Most precincts eligible for this programme have started or completed their upgrading. The community and Town Council will continue to push for all precincts to be upgraded.
Safer Lifts to Yishun Houses
All eligible lifts in Nee Soon have been upgraded.
Er. Dr. Lee Bee Wah successfully fought for four-storey flats to have lifts stop on every floor, and accelerated multi-storey carpark lift upgrading.
To improve lift safety and reliability, Nee Soon Town Council is investing more in lift maintenance and replacement.
The Home Improvement Programme resolves common maintenance problems of ageing flats such as spalling concrete, ageing electrical supply, etc. While undergoing HIP, homeowners can also opt to upgrade their gates, doors, rubbish chutes, toilets, etc. Elderly homeowners can also opt for EASE improvements like grab bars, non-slip bathroom flooring, ramps, etc.
All eligible flats in Nee Soon, i.e. those built up to 1986, will be selected for this programme by FY2018.
Er. Dr. Lee Bee Wah has successfully fought for HIP to be extended to flats built after 1986. For more of your MPs’ speeches on housing policies, click here.