As many of you would know, we have been working hard to secure additional resources from the Government to cope with the additional workload arising from the Government’s decision to task the Housing Authority to take forward its decision to introduce the new Home Ownership Scheme. I am pleased to report that we have succeeded in getting 194 additional civil service posts, including 6 directorate and 188 non-directorate posts. These are subject to review in seven years’ time.

The next step will be to create the new posts and recruit suitable staff to fill them.  We will expedite action in this respect, but it will still take some time to go through the necessary formalities. For the directorate posts, we are required to seek approval from the Legislative Council (LegCo) for the creation of these new posts. The Housing Panel of the LegCo has recently given support to our proposal and the next step would be to go through the Establishment Subcommittee. For the non-directorate posts, the new posts will be created after going through the internal Departmental Establishment Committee mechanism. I understand that even with these additional posts, colleagues will continue to face work pressure. Let me assure you that we are conscious of the need to secure resources for all grades affected by the new initiative and will continue to push for the necessary additional posts.

The Housing Department has a very important and challenging task to provide quality housing for those in need. We need to meet our construction targets to deliver new units. At the same time it is equally important that we ensure the proper management of our existing stock of public rental units. Despite the pressure from this workload, and even if we are getting more staff, I know that each and every colleague appreciates that his/her contribution is essential to allow us to deliver quality housing in a timely manner for the people of Hong Kong. I can assure you that your efforts are recognised and fully appreciated. Thank you.

D W Pescod
Director of Housing

The Annual Report 2010/11 of the Housing Authority (HA) has received a Gold Award in the category of Non-profit Organisations in the ASTRID Awards 2012 organised by the New York based MerComm, Inc.

With the theme “Public Housing: a Cornerstone of Hong Kong’s Success”, the award-winning Report reaffirms the role of public housing in Hong Kong’s economic and social development. Echoing the theme of cornerstone, its overall design features a series of "stone walls" in the HA’s public housing estates. The Annual Report can be viewed on the Housing Authority / Housing Department Website.

Marking its 22nd anniversary, the ASTRID Awards honours excellence and innovation in design communications. It accepts entries from around the world which are judged by international design professionals, based on concept creativity, clarity and production quality.

Ching Ho Estate is a modern public housing estate in Sheung Shui. Despite its urban look, it is easy to trace its rural roots from days gone by, particularly with the delicately crafted sculptures scattered throughout the estate. These lifelike sculptures have been carefully placed in strategic locations around the estate to remind us of what life was like in the old days. You will appreciate their artistry when you see the pictures below.

The site Ching Ho Estate occupies used to be a piece of farmland. Aiming to depict life as it was in the past, our designers created a series of sculptures under the theme “The Leisure Life of Farmers”.

A cock, on its mettle, stands guard over its family while the hen standing nearby takes care of her brood of chicks.

It is not difficult to find geese throughout the estate. Some of them are visible in the high eaves while others loiter in the undergrowth looking for food.

Two buffaloes resting in a muddy pool, look as if they are enjoying life. They serve to remind us to relax after a day’s toil. Even the tired little sparrow takes a rest on the back of the buffalo.

Rural life was simple and thrifty. Wide-brimmed straw hats and straw sandals were the farmers’ good companions, so were plows and hoes.

Time for a meal! The wicker basket was commonly used by the women to take lunch to their husbands who were working hard out on the farm.

Utensils in various shapes and sizes are also displayed throughout the estate. Some of them can be seen on modern pavement tiles while others have been placed near the vibrant shopping complex. This blend of the old and the new form a pleasant and interesting contrast.