The new tender requirements mean that budget meals will be offered at all 374 coffee shops under HDB by 2026. This is nearly half of all coffee shops located in HDB estates now, excluding 402 that are owned and managed by private operators.
The housing authority said it will offer a rental discount of 5 per cent off the renewal rents for a period of one year, from the time that the budget meal requirement is in place.
REVITALISING NEIGHBOURHOODS
Other schemes were also announced to revitalise the heartlands, and promote entrepreneurship and inclusive businesses in public housing estates.
The Revitalisation of Shops scheme will be enhanced by reducing the co-payment from retailers for upgrading their shopping environment.
Currently, owners co-fund 20 per cent of the upgrading costs, capped at S$5,000. This will be reduced to 5 per cent of the upgrading costs, and HDB will increase its co-funding share to 85 per cent, while the town council pays 10 per cent.
The total budget for upgrading works will remain unchanged at S$35,000 per shop.
Innovative businesses, social enterprises and businesses with inclusive hiring practices will also get more incentives to set up shop in the heartlands.
For example, eligible start-ups will get a 10 per cent rental discount for their first three-year tenancy. They will also be allocated shop spaces from more towns, as the scheme currently only allocates them to new neighbourhood centres.
“This will help to refresh and boost the range of goods and services offered in HDB estates,” the Housing Board said.
Social enterprises will get an increase in rental discount from 20 per cent to 30 per cent for two three-year tenancies. Up to 30 shop spaces will be available each year, double the current 15 units.
Addressing concerns from MPs about cost increases town councils are facing, Ms Sim said that town councils have been “doing their part” to raise Service and Conservancy Charges periodically, even as they look for opportunities to raise productivity and save costs.
But the Government recognises that costs have risen sharply, partly due to external factors, such as the spike in energy prices.
The Government is prepared to consider temporary “special funding support” to cushion the potential impact on residents, she said.