Come April, Singaporean families living in private housing will be able to use S$400 worth of climate vouchers to buy certain household appliances. - Photo: ST
SINGAPORE: For several months now, Madam Lee has been thinking about buying a new refrigerator but she said cash has been tight.
The 69-year-old homemaker lives in a semi-detached home in Frankel Estate with her husband, who is retired.
While her neighbours have renovated their homes, hers remains in the same state it was when she bought it about 40 years ago.
Her current fridge is old and does not work well. Lee said she would like to replace the fridge, which she purchased some years back.
“How can I ask for help? People will just tell me to sell my house for money,” said Lee.
Come April, she will be among the many Singaporean families living in private housing who will be able to use $400 worth of climate vouchers to buy certain household appliances.
These vouchers were previously only offered to Housing Board flat dwellers.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his Budget speech on Feb 18 that the programme will be expanded to private property residents.
The vouchers under the Climate Friendly Households Programme can be used to buy energy- and water-efficient appliances and fittings, such as air-conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators.
A subsidised home enhancement scheme for seniors was also extended to those in private property.
Under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (Ease) programme, seniors are able to install a range of ageing-friendly fittings like grab bars and ramps in their homes at a Government-subsidised cost.
Residents that spoke to The Straits Times said they were surprised at the change.
They feel that asset-rich but cash-poor folks who bought their properties long ago are often overlooked.
Retired teacher Luke, who declined to give his full name, has lived in Jalan Naung since 1968.
He purchased his home, where he lives with his 74-year-old wife and daughter, for less than $10,000.
It was renovated about 10 years ago.
Luke, 79, said he felt left out of the benefits in previous years.
About six months ago, he broke his leg from a fall and had to install handrails and grab bars in his home, which set him back more than $1,500.
Luke said: “Seniors in landed properties also need help, and it’s pricey to get the fixtures installed.
“Just because our property is valued at a certain amount doesn’t mean we have the money - we will only unlock it if we sell, but we have no intention to do so.”
“It’s good that the Government is now looking at it from a different perspective.”
Long-time resident of East Coast Road, Madam Ang, 74, said she worries that she will eventually need a wheelchair to move around in her terrace home.
She said: “My children support me, but they also have their own lives. I was happy to hear about the Ease scheme.
“At least I won’t have to ask my children for money to install ramps if I can’t walk anymore.”
Though she understands why many Government schemes are not extended to private property residents, she said that for many seniors, the help would lift many burdens.
“My house is worth a lot, but how can I sell it? My memories with my late husband are all here. I don’t care about the money,” she said.
MPs of areas with older private estates told ST that the Budget announcements were welcomed.
MP for West Coast GRC Ang Wei Neng said the climate vouchers are expected to be well-utilised by private estate residents.
He added that many residents who have not renovated their toilets in decades will benefit from the Ease programme.
“Many of these residents, though asset-rich, may be cash-poor, and this programme will provide much-needed support to improve their living conditions.”
Cheryl Chan, MP for East Coast GRC, said she had requested for the Ease programme to be extended to other residents in the past as there are many seniors living in condominiums and landed homes that could benefit.
She said: “If residents were to do it on their own, it would be costly as it’s a tiny project, and contractors may not be interested.”
For seniors living in landed homes, ramps would be necessary to make their homes accessible if they are in wheelchairs, she said.
The climate vouchers also enable more people to be aware about the environment, regardless of what property they live in, she added.
Madam Mona Cheah, who has lived in Lakeside Grove for 20 years, said if the objective of the climate vouchers was to encourage people to use more energy-efficient devices, the vouchers should be given out across the board.
“How does where you stay affect the objective of the programme?” said the 65-year-old.
Estate Upgrading Programme
Other than potentially upgrading their homes, residents from 32 private estates in Singapore can also look forward to new or improved facilities in their neighbourhood with the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP).
The upgrading works, which were announced by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Feb 8, will cost $135 million.
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Alvin Tan, said that the area covered in the EUP is significant and will benefit a lot of residents.
Residents of Balmoral have asked for better links between the estate and Singapore Botanic Gardens, as well as the widening of footpaths for wheelchair users and those with prams.
“EUP is a good opportunity to make real improvements for our residents.”
Seven of the estates chosen have a higher concentration of the elderly that will get senior-friendly upgrades like wayfinding features, community gardens, and facilities for active ageing programmes.
Seniors in Fengshan, one of the estates chosen, have said they would like for the path connecting the private estate to the market to be sheltered, Chan said.
She said she hopes the upgrading works will ensure the exercise corner is senior-friendly and inter-generational.
“We want seniors to come out of their homes and use these spaces, and it would bring some life to it if there are facilities for children.” - The Straits Times/ANN
