2008 Highlights

Our Environmental Performance

• A total of 120 Public Rental Housing (PRH) estates participated in the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste and our targets for recovery of paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles were all met.
• The average domestic waste production of our residents in 2008/09 was 0.6940 kg/person/day, 15.3% reduction as compared against 2002/03.
• Achieved 3.0% reduction in the average energy consumption for public areas in all of our domestic blocks when comparing with 2007/08.
• Planted about 7 600 trees, 687 700 shrubs and 97 700 annuals in PRH estates, and improved landscape design in 18 PRH estates covering a total area of 111 000 m² under the Landscape Improvement Programme.
• By replacing cement with Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) in the concrete mixes, we saved 32 000 tons of cements, and hence reduced carbon dioxide emission by about 7 000 tons.
• Commenced carbon audits on five of our buildings in August 2008.
• Electricity consumption for our headquarters, offices and other premises was 615 172 000 kWh in 2008/09, 0.82% less than our consumption in 2007/08, equivalent to saving 3 500 tonnes CO₂e of greenhouse gas emissions.

Our Social Performance

• Accident rate at our sites was 16.1 injuries per 1 000 workers, significantly lower than the overall construction industry rate of 61.4.
• Fall Arrest Horizontal Life-line System (FAS) has been incorporated at 162 domestic blocks with slanting canopies in 31 estates to ensure safety of working at height.
• Improvement in the number of lift and escalator accidents was recorded, which dropped by 20% when compared against the same period in 2007, after enhancement of safety measures including publicity and education programmes to residents.
• Re-housed 1 030 families and reduced the total number of overcrowded households from 4 340 to 3 730 through a number of transfer schemes.
• 1 630 households, living with an internal floor area below seven m² per person were, re-housed to a more spacious accommodation under the Living Space Improvement Transfer Scheme.
• Around 17 000 units in 17 estates were rewired and fitted with upgraded socket outlets under the Rewiring inside Domestic Flats Programme.
• Completed the upgrade of the communal aerial broadcast distribution system, all our tenants are now able to enjoy digital terrestrial television broadcast.
• Provided free internet access through Wi-Fi services at communal access points in all PRH estates.
• Conducted Public Housing Survey, satisfaction level concerning the security services was at 78%, which was the highest among aspects surveyed.
• Conducted 14 114 raids and 176 joint operations with other government departments against illegal cooked food hawkers to improve hygienic conditions in our housing estates.

Our Economic Performance

• Implemented a series of measures such as reduction of on-demand bonds in foundation and new works contracts as well as shortening the payment period to alleviate financial difficulties experienced by our contractors.
• HA's funds available for investment stood at HK$56 375 million, an increase by HK$828 million as compared against 31 March 2008.
• Offered rent relief to retail and factory tenants in response to the outbreak of the global financial tsunami.
• Conducted over 6 800 investigation cases of suspected tenancy abuse to determine tenant eligibility for subsidised housing.
• The rate of rental arrears fell from 3.5% to below 3% during the year in view of our expanding rent collection networks.
• Expanded the rent enquiry hotline service with the establishment of the internet service to enable tenants to assess their rent payment in a convenient manner.
• Sold around 59% surplus Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats offered under Phase 4 in 2008 to eligible applicants.
• Construction costs for our superstructures were in general some 36% lower than similar projects in the private sector.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Organised a series of five partnership symposiums with around 1 700 participants, bringing Estate Management Advisory Committees (EMACs) and NGO members in the local community together to provide help and support to local neighbourhood.
• Launched "Messages on Air" which broadcast 32 messages covering a wide range of our policies and initiatives over radio channels to enhance our transparency.
• Organized community workshops for major Public Rental Housing Development Projects to enhance community participation at the planning and design stages.
• Produced over 40 videos to promote safe use of estate facilities, healthy living, green practices as well as schemes of interest.
• Received 66 local and international delegations from governments, housing bodies, academic institutions and related professional organisations to share experiences and exchange ideas on housing matters with visitors from around the world for improving our performance.
• About 6 000 residents have been recruited as Green Estate Ambassadors to spread green messages in their estates under the Green Delight in Estates programme.
• 44 sessions of focus group discussions with residents of Total Maintenance Scheme (TMS) estates were arranged and 25 sessions of TMS seminars were held for estate staff and contractors to foster to build up partnering working relationship amongst residents, staff and contractors.

Our Achievements and Awards

• Our "Micro-Climate studies for Sustainable Public Housing in HK" won the "Highly Commended Architectural and Surveying Innovation Award" in the International Innovation and Research Awards organized by the Chartered Institute of Building of the United Kingdom.
• Our Site Supervisory Team of "Foundation for Redevelopment at Tung Tau Estate Phase 9" won a merit award in the "Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme 2008" organised by the Development Bureau.
• Our Mobile Application System on Housing Management received Bronze Award in the Best Public Service Application (Transformation) Award at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008 (Official announcement in 2/ 2009).
• The Housing Department received a world-class software process quality certification - the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) issued by the Software Engineering Institute of the Carnegie Mellon University.
• We were the Winner of Grand award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display) in the theme of "Harmonious Garden" in 2009 Flower Show organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).
• We were awarded the "Class of Excellence Wastewi$e Label" of the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence organised by the Environmental Campaign Committee.
• The Housing Authority / Housing Department Web Site (www.housingauthority.gov.hk) got a Gold Prize in the 2008 Web Care Award organised by the Internet Professional Association.
• The Housing Department was awarded as a 'Caring Organisation' (2008/2009) by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
• The final phase of Kwai Chung Estate won the commendation in the Joint Structural Division Special Award 2008, co-hosted by the HK Institution of Engineers and the United Kingdom's Institution of Structural Engineers.