Vacated Tanglin Halt flats to be refurbished as temporary homes for families

A view of Blocks 41-44 along Tanglin Halt Road. (Photo: Google Street View)
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SINGAPORE: About 2,000 vacated HDB flats at Tanglin Halt will be turned into temporary housing for families waiting for their new homes, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said on Monday (Feb 5).
It will see the supply of flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) double to 4,000 units by next year, as announced by Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann last June.
The PPHS is a temporary housing option for families waiting for their new Build-to-Order (BTO) flats to be completed.
The 2,000 additional units will come from 17 blocks across the Tanglin Halt estate.
They were among the 31 there to be identified for Selective En bloc Redevelopment in 2014. Former residents were offered new flats in the nearby Dawson estate and have since moved into their new homes.
Blocks 55, 56, 58-60, 62 Commonwealth Drive, and Blocks 33-38 and 40-44 Tanglin Halt Road will be spruced up, while another four blocks are already part of the existing PPHS supply.
The flats will eventually be demolished to make way for redevelopment, but in the meantime they will serve as temporary housing for families, said HDB.
Refurbishment works of the flats include replacing fittings and fixtures such as water pipes, floor tiles and sanitary wares, as well as electrical and painting works.
Improvement works will also be carried out to common areas such as lifts and outdoor areas.
“HDB is also working with stakeholders on the provision of amenities such as playgrounds and childcare centres, and residents will be served by the nearby Tanglin Halt market which includes eateries and shops,” it said.
When completed, the flats will be progressively let out for PPHS temporary housing from the second half of 2025.
HDB said the supply of PPHS flats is limited and depends on the availability of vacant flats not needed for other purposes, such as those in vacated blocks that are not immediately needed for redevelopment.
Under the scheme, married couples with at least one child aged 18 and below, including expectant parents, get priority in the allocation of flats.