Schemes
HDB EASE (Enhancement for Active Seniors): what you get, what it costs and how to apply
The short version
- EASE subsidises senior-friendly fittings in HDB flats: grab bars, slip-resistant treatment for up to two bathrooms, and ramps. EASE 2.0 (from 1 April 2024) added items such as a foldable shower seat, bidet sprays, rocker switches and a lowered toilet kerb.
- The government pays most of the cost. Owners pay 5% (1- to 3-room), 7.5% (4-room), 10% (5-room) or 12.5% (Executive). Public rental tenants pay nothing.
- Eligible: Singapore Citizen households with a member aged 65 and over, or 60 to 64 who needs help with at least one daily activity.
- Apply any time through EASE Direct Application on HDB’s website, or opt in during the Home Improvement Programme. EASE makes falls less likely; it does not tell anyone when one happens.
What EASE includes
| Item | Part of |
|---|---|
| Grab bars (including foldable and U-shaped grab bars) | EASE, with new types under EASE 2.0 |
| Slip-resistant treatment for the floors of up to two bathrooms | EASE |
| Ramps (single-step, multi-step, portable or customised) | EASE |
| Wheelchair lifter | EASE |
| Wall-mounted foldable shower seat | EASE 2.0 |
| Bidet sprays (up to two) | EASE 2.0 |
| Rocker light switches | EASE 2.0 |
| Lowered toilet entrance kerb | EASE 2.0 |
| Home Fire Alarm Device | EASE 2.0 |
| Handrail at a main entrance with steps | EASE 2.0 |
Not every item suits every flat. An HDB-appointed contractor assesses the flat and installs the items you choose. Item list as published by HDB, checked on 2 November 2026.
Who qualifies
- A Singapore Citizen household in an HDB flat, with
- a household member aged 65 or over, or aged 60 to 64 who needs help with at least one activity of daily living. The 60 to 64 group needs a Functional Assessment Report from an assessor such as a registered doctor.
- When EASE is offered with the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), there is no age requirement.
What it costs
| Flat type | Owner pays |
|---|---|
| 1-, 2- and 3-room | 5% of the cost |
| 4-room | 7.5% |
| 5-room | 10% |
| Executive | 12.5% |
| Public rental flat | Fully funded by the government |
The government pays the rest, up to 95%. Item prices vary by flat type: HDB publishes a table, and for example the foldable shower seat costs households between about S$15 and S$38 depending on the flat type.
How to apply
- EASE Direct Application: apply online on HDB’s website at any time.
- HDB appoints a contractor, who contacts you to assess the flat and agree the items.
- Installation is arranged, and you pay your share.
- Or, if your block is selected for the Home Improvement Programme, opt in to EASE items when HDB polls the residents.
Private homes: EASE (Private)
Seniors in private homes can apply for EASE (Private), a three-year programme from the Ministry of National Development launched in 2026. It subsidises 75% of the cost of selected senior-friendly fittings, up to a cap of S$1,200.
What EASE does not do
Grab bars and non-slip floors make falls less likely. They do not tell anyone when a fall happens anyway, which matters most for a parent who lives alone. For that, add a way to notice: an SOS button within reach, a daily check-in with a rule for what happens if there is no answer, or sensors that alert the family when movement stops.
Birdhouse alerts the family when there has been no movement anywhere for 4 hours during the day, or when someone has been in the bathroom for 45 minutes with no movement elsewhere, which is often the first sign of a fall in the place EASE is trying to make safe. See the room-by-room fall prevention checklist and what to do after a fall.
Frequently asked questions
What does HDB EASE include?
Grab bars, slip-resistant treatment for up to two bathrooms, ramps and a wheelchair lifter, plus EASE 2.0 items from April 2024 such as a foldable shower seat, bidet sprays, rocker switches, a lowered toilet kerb, a home fire alarm and an entrance handrail.
How much does EASE cost?
Owners pay 5% of the cost in 1- to 3-room flats, 7.5% in 4-room, 10% in 5-room and 12.5% in Executive flats. Public rental tenants pay nothing.
Who is eligible for EASE?
Singapore Citizen households in HDB flats with a member aged 65 or over, or aged 60 to 64 who needs help with at least one activity of daily living. There is no age requirement when EASE is offered with the Home Improvement Programme.
How do I apply for EASE?
Through EASE Direct Application on HDB’s website at any time, or by opting in when your block undergoes the Home Improvement Programme.
Sources and further reading
- HDB: Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE)
- HDB: Home Improvement Programme, Annex C (EASE items and costs, 2026)
- MND: Enhancement for Active Seniors (Private Housing) programme
- MOH: Age Well SG
This guide describes Birdhouse as it works on 3 November 2026. Birdhouse is not an emergency response service and never calls emergency services for you. In a life-threatening emergency, call 995. Questions or corrections: info@birdhouse.sg.