In my leisure time I enjoy strolling around Housing Department’s (HD’s) properties. Earlier on, I had an exchange with someone about our redevelopment policy, which prompted me to take a look at our old housing estates. So there I was in Ma Tau Wai Estate, a place (like me) aged over 50.
On a weekend afternoon, except for groups of elderly sitting under the trees or in front of a store exchanging small talk, not many were seen walking about in the neighbourhood. I have taken this photograph to capture aged buildings and trees alongside new initiatives such as barrier-free facilities, all in the same frame.
I have reiterated time and again when explaining the Housing Authority’s (HA’s) redevelopment policy that demolition of aged buildings is never an easy option. We will determine whether an estate should be redeveloped in accordance with the prevailing policy. If we decide to go ahead with redevelopment, a notice will be given at least three years in advance to provide tenants of the affected estate with sufficient time for preparation. For estates not scheduled for redevelopment, effective management is in place for tenants’ well-being. Various maintenance programmes are implemented to achieve this end. For estates over 40 years of age, we will conduct a comprehensive structural investigation to ensure the structural safety of buildings. An estate improvement programme addressing the needs of residents will also be carried out to enhance the quality of existing facilities. In the light of the ageing population, we have in recent years taken the initiative to improve recreational, sports and barrier-free facilities for the elderly, such as the addition of lifts, escalators and ramps. We will also refurbish external walls and public areas in a timely manner, and are committed to greening estates. All these are done with a view to creating a pleasant and convenient living environment for tenants.
Day in day out, our staff devote themselves to estate management and maintenance. Keeping aged estates in good shape and their facilities up-to-date to ensure safety, tidiness and decency is not an easy task. The remarkable efforts of our estate management team deserve our respect and gratitude.
Alongside domestic facilities we also manage various types of non-domestic facilities. At a recent HA’s Commercial Properties Committee meeting, members praised the HD for the enhancement works done to our existing commercial premises, which not only gave them a facelift but added life and vitality to the aged housing estates. For the convenience and benefits of tenants and business operators, we will make constant efforts to review the letting position of our commercial premises, and enhance our shopping centres, retail facilities and trade mix. Members mentioned, in particular, the conversion of surplus parking spaces into retail lane in Ping Shek Estate and the overall improvement works to On Kay Commercial Centre. I am glad that our colleagues’ efforts are recognised.
With Christmas just around the corner, I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Stanley Ying Yiu-hong
Director of Housing
