The Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Housing Authority (HA) for the year 2012/13 have been released and made available on the Housing Authority / Housing Department (HA/HD) Website.

The theme "Public Housing – Growing from Strength to Strength" for this year’s Annual Report reflects our efforts to meet the growing demand for high quality and affordable housing in Hong Kong. In the past year, we have not only stepped up the production of new public rental housing (PRH) and explored new ways of expediting its supply; but also taken on responsibility for the new Home Ownership Scheme. Meanwhile, we have continued to incorporate new technology, higher standards, and more sustainable methods and materials into our construction practices. Accessibility in all our estates has also been improved, along with initiatives to enhance safety and convenience of PRH environments for every resident.

Coming with the Annual Report is a leaflet on our PRH portfolio, illustrating the geographic distribution of our estates and providing some useful figures about our public housing stock.

Members of the public are welcome to browse the e-version of the publication at the HA/HD Website.

To celebrate the first anniversary of Domain, an integrated shopping mall in Yau Tong, the Housing Authority (HA) held a ceremony on 23 November. The ceremony was officiated by Mr Michael Choi Ngai-min, Chairman of the HA’s Commercial Properties Committee (CPC); Mr D W Pescod, Director of Housing; Mr Wilson Or Chong-shing, non-official member of the CPC; and Mr Albert Lee, Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management).

A lighting ceremony for the Christmas decoration themed “Santa’s Merry Land” was also held at Domain that day. The stunning Christmas decoration features 111 cartoon Santa Clause figures, signifying the “1st” anniversary of Domain. Adorned by other colourful decorations and settings, the venue is filled with cheerful festive atmosphere.

An array of variety shows and interesting activities will be staged at Domain throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays. The programmes include prized games, distribution of giveaways and lucky draw, offering over 3 000 gifts to customers.

With the approach of Christmas, the Housing Authority (HA) has specially designed an e-card for you to send season's greetings to your friends and relatives in an environmentally friendly way.

Simply go to the Housing Authority / Housing Department Website, select the Christmas e-card, input your and the recipients' email addresses; your warm wishes will instantly be delivered.

Congratulations to Housing Department (HD) staff member Ms Angela Leung Yuet-ying, who was recently awarded an Ombudsman's Award for Officers of Public Organisations in recognition of her outstanding civil service performance. Housing Dimensions interviewed her and asked her to share some of her work experiences and feelings on winning the award.

Angela Leung joined the civil service in 1979. Before joining the Housing Department, she worked in the Social Welfare Department (SWD) assessing applications for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme. She became a Housing Officer in 1985, dealing with management works relating to housing estates and commercial properties. In 2000 she was promoted to Assistant Housing Manager, and in 2010 she was transferred to the Registration and Civil Service Unit (RCSU) of the Applications Sub-section, where she became responsible for processing applications for the Civil Service Public Housing Quota Scheme (CSPHQS) and vetting the eligibility of Compassionate Rehousing applications recommended by the SWD.

Speaking of her 30 years of tenure in the civil service, Angela said her most challenging work had been at the RCSU. “Particularly when I was dealing with applications for the CSPHQS,” she continued, “because the quota was limited but there were a very large number of applications. In addition to handling the applications, we have to deal with a lot of telephone enquiries and written complaints from the applicants. Some applicants lodged their complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman against HD’s rejection on their applications for the CSPHQS, some to the Legislative Council, and in serious cases some even seek a judicial review.”

There were so many applications or sometimes complaints, how did Angela cope with them? Angela replied, “Applications are generally processed based on the number of years of civil service of the applicant and his/her retirement date, as well as on Civil Service Bureau (CSB) regulations and guidelines. All assessments are carried out in an open and fair manner. When we come across complicated cases like those involved with complaints, the whole team tries to work out a solution together and give the applicant a reasonable and satisfied answer.”

Are there any unforgettable cases, or resolved cases that Angela is particularly proud of, during her three years tenure at the RCSU? She recalls one case from around six months ago. “We rejected an applicant’s submission because, according to the CSB regulations, it was made after the closing date for application. However, the applicant sent a complaint letter to us and also to other departments in which he lamented his misfortune. He said that his department had not reminded him of the deadline for submission of application, that we had not shown sympathy for his suffering from serious illness, and that he desperately needed a public rental housing (PRH) unit for retirement. After several rounds of internal discussion with senior officers, we told the applicant that if he wanted us to consider his application with special discretion, he needed to seek the advice from a medical social worker or doctor regarding his health status, for recommending him to apply for the CSPHQS. Because of our suggestion, the applicant eventually obtained confirmation from his doctor that he was suffering from a serious illness. The CSB also approved his late application and early retirement. On these bases, in the end we were able to accept his application and offer him a PRH unit. He later sent us a letter of appreciation, thanking us for our help and understanding. This case took us almost three months to resolve completely. I have to add my thanks to my senior officers and all colleagues in my team for their encouragement and support.”

Angela also shared details of another case from which she learned a great deal. “The applicant was a civil servant who applied for the CSPHQS,” she said. “After verification, we found that his wife had once enjoyed subsidised housing and therefore he was not eligible to apply. The applicant sent us a letter of complaint stating that his wife was suffering from a serious illness and was experiencing severe stress. After discussion with senior officers, we suggested the applicant to submit a testimonial with recommendation from his wife’s doctor on her illness to help him apply for PRH. His application was eventually accepted.”

Angela’s workload is heavy, and she has to get through a great many applications everyday. She admitted, “To get through the enormous pile of work, I often have to work until late at night, and even come to the office on weekends.” How does she cope with such heavy work pressure, yet still manage to arrive at the office everyday in a good shape? Angela told us that the most important thing is to stay optimistic and remain impartial when processing each application. It is also essential to pay careful attention to the details of each case, checking on documents like failure to declare assets, or the income of family members not complying with regulations. “I take the difficult cases to my senior officers and colleagues,” she said. “We discuss them together and try to find possible solutions by approaching the problem from different angles. All in all, we really try our hardest to help the applicants.”

Angela modestly asserted that the award really belongs to the whole working team, and is a result of the concerted efforts of all her colleagues. During our short meeting, Angela impressed the Housing Dimensions reporter with her optimism and perseverance, two attributes that are clearly the driving forces behind her outstanding performance.