Age eligibility for Community Care Apartments lowered from 65 to 55; monthly fees reduced
The qualification age for Community Care Apartments (CCAs) will be lowered from 65 to 55, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of National Development (MND) and HDB announced on July 13. The lower eligibility age are going to work from the October Build-to-Order (BTO) sales exercise.
Lee Sze Teck, top supervisor for data analytics at Huttons Asia, indicates that application rates for CCA developments have declined over past launches. “The application rate was 4.2 when it was first presented [at Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok] But it has steadily eased to 0.7 in the last CCA project in Fernvale Plains,” he says. However, he anticipates the brand-new measures to increase demand for CCAs, with the upcoming release in Toa Payoh possibly garnering application rates over one.
Furthermore, MOH will subsidise components of the BSP that are similar to those currently subsidised under the Long-Term Care schemes.
At The Same Time, Christine Sun, main researcher and strategist at Realion (OrangeTee & ETC) Group, observes that the changes might divert some demand away from two-room flexi flats. “This means that other applicants, such as singles, will certainly have more 2-room flexi flats to choose from, leading to a higher ballot success,” she adds.
CCA locals are required to sign up to the BSP, that consists of a suite of care and support services, consisting of 24-hour emergency response and assistance for basic home repairs. Residents can also add optional services such as loss surveillance and housekeeping.
The changes are “component of the government’s broader attempts to broaden housing and care alternatives for senior citizens”, the agencies stated. Seniors aged 55 years old that wish to right-size their homes can take into consideration both two-room flexi flats on short lease and CCAs, giving them more options and time to organize in advance, they added.
To date, HDB has released five CCA projects– Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok, Queensway Canopy in Queenstown, Bedok’s Chai Chee Green, Merpati Alcove in Geylang and Sengkang’s Fernvale Plains.
According to MOH, MND and HDB, the BSP will certainly be made extra budget-friendly by streamlining solutions provided. Citizens can likewise withdraw of an emergency signal device originally supplied under the BSP, additionally lowering charges.
In addition, the regular monthly basic solution plan (BSP) charges for CCAs will certainly be reduced by 18% to 75%.
First launched in 2021, CCAs are public housing for retirees that want to age separately in the community. The developments feature homes with senior-friendly fittings and also integrate social assistance services.
A 6th CCA project are going to introduce in October as part of Toa Payoh West @ Caldecott, a BTO project alongside Caldecott MRT Stop.
