SINGAPORE - Around 18,000 flats across Singapore have been selected for home upgrading works under the Housing Board’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP).The 198 blocks chosen for upgrades are located in 12 towns including Bedok, Bishan, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Sengkang, Serangoon, Tampines and Woodlands.Home owners will get structural improvements and can opt for subsidised upgrades to their toilets or bathrooms, said Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah on May 16.The Government has allocated $253 million for the works, said the HDB.The HIP programme was launched in 2007 to address maintenance issues such as spalling concrete and ceiling leakage.Speaking at a block party in Bukit Batok East Nature View, Ms Indranee said about 409,000 flats have been upgraded under the HIP since its launch.The Government has spent about $5 billion on these works, she added.Within Bukit Batok East, more than 1,600 households across 14 blocks have been selected for the upcoming batch of HIP, said Ms Indranee.Under the HIP, flats are shortlisted for upgrades based on their age. Read more