Everything About S’pore’s First Assisted Living HDB for Seniors That’ll be in Bukit Batok

Have you ever wished to stay in your own HDB flat, but have your every meal cooked for you, your laundry washed for you and someone at your beck and call?

Well, if you are, I’ve got some great news for you, although most of you reading this probably aren’t eligible for it anyway.

In Feb 2021, HDB will be launching a new type of flat at Bukit Batok.

Called the Assisted Living Public Housing, these new flats are meant for seniors who wish to live on their own, yet still, be able to be taken care of.

Here’s everything you need to know about this new type of public housing.

Everything About S’pore’s First Assisted Living HDB for Seniors That’ll be in Bukit Batok

On 10 Dec 2020, it was reported that in February’s Built-to-Order sales exercise, HDB will be launching the Assisted Living HDB for seniors in Bukit Batok.

Think of them as normal HDB flats, except they come with “room service”.

Seniors who pick up a unit in the project will have to sign up with, at least, the compulsory basic service package.

The price for the package starts from $22,000 for a 15-year-lease.

Services Available

According to the Ministry of National Development (MND), Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Housing Development Board (HDB), services for the basic package includes:

• 24-hour emergency monitoring and response
• Basic health checks
• Simple home fixes
• Communal space activities

There are also add-ons you can choose to purchase as well.

They include:

• Housekeeping
• Laundry
• Meal delivery
• Shared caregiving

As the name “add-on” suggests, you’ll have to pay extra to get these services.

Details Of Project

The upcoming project will be located at Bukit Batok West Ave 9.

There will be 160 units in the project and it’s estimated to be completed in 2024.

The community project was actually scheduled to be launched in May 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The units aren’t big either at 32 square metres and have an open layout with sliding partitions to demarcate different areas.

It’s like a mini-condominium too and comes with built-in wardrobes, cabinets and a furnished kitchen.

Because it’s for seniors, the flats also come equipped grab bars, as well as toilets with slip-resistant floors and accessible by wheelchairs.

Staff On Hand To Serve The Seniors

On every level of the project, there’ll be a common area for residents to gather together for meals.

Don’t worry, by the time this is built, Singapore will be in Phase 97, so gathering would be permitted.

A community manager will also be deployed on-site to organise community activities for the residents as well as link them to necessary services.

They’ll also be given priority for entry to the nearby nursing home if needed.

Other exciting amenities in this project includes a hawker centre, an activity park, a path for strolls, fitness station and a community garden.

Who Can Apply

Sounds like paradise?

Unfortunately, as you’ve probably glanced from the headline of the article, not everyone can apply for a home there.

Applicants must be above the age of 65 years old and they can choose between leases ranging from 15 to 35 years.

The lease must cover the applicant and/or spouse until they’re at least 95 years old.

Prices for these flats range from $40,000 for a 15-year lease to $65,000 for a 35-year lease.

Here’s the bad news: the amount must be paid in full, either with CPF monies or in cash.

On the flip side, government subsidies like the Silver Housing Bonus are applicable.

Another condition for getting the flat is that you can’t rent it out, or re-sell it on the property market.

Flat owners who no longer need the flat will have to sell them back to HDB, which will refund them their remaining lease.

Interested? Seniors and interested members of the public can visit a life-size model of the units at HDB Hub at Toa Payoh.

A showroom of the flat will be open for viewing from 4 Jan 2021.

For interested visitors, you’ll have to make an appointment via the HDB website here before you can make your way down.

It was added that feedback from members of the community was taken into consideration during the development of the project.

Featured Image: HDB