This includes the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).

The HIP focuses on essential improvements within a flat, like repairing spalling concrete, and also gives residents the choice of opting out of certain items to reduce their bill. This replaces the more extensive Main Upgrading Programme, which conducts work both inside and outside the flat and costs more to do.

Under NRP, several adjoining estates are spruced up together, with the cost fully borne by the Government.

The HDB, which said earlier that HIP would be first conducted in two precincts in Yishun and Tampines, announced on Monday that it will double that number to four in view of strong public support.

Meanwhile, eight estates have been selected for NRP and 52 for lift upgrading - where lifts are improved to give residents access on every level. Some estates will have more than one type of upgrading work done concurrently to reduce the inconvenience caused.

Six precincts previously picked for the main upgrading programme under the old regime will also be switching to the new programmes. This is possible because residents in these precincts have not yet voted on their upgrading plan.

Details of the specific locations of these precincts will be released by the respestive MPs later. Work on this batch is expected to be completed within five years' time.

The HDB decided to go ahead with the major upgrading works following strong support from the residents after they were announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally last August.

In surveys conducted by HDB, 98 per cent of respondents expressed support for the HIP while 92 per cent indicated their willingness to participate in town hall meetings and provide inputs for NRP projects in their precincts.

The amendments to the Housing and Development Act that enable the HIP to be carried out were passed by Parliament on Jan 21.

In view of strong public support, the number of HIP projects has been increased from the earlier two to four, said the HDB in a statement on Monday.

'Some of the sites will be offered more than one programme to cater to specific local needs, minimise inconvenience to the residents and complete the LUP by 2014,' said the HDB.

Commenting on the upgrading works, Minister of State for National Development, Ms Grace Fu, said: 'We have listened to the feedback that residents gave us at the Forum on HDB Heartware and incorporated them into the new programmes. I am heartened by the strong support for the HIP and NRP. We are pleased to be able to bring the new programmes to more residents. In addition, the Government remains on track to complete the LUP for all eligible blocks by 2014.'