Untitled Document


		Our Governance Structure		Housing Department Environmental, Health and Safety Committee
		Our Management Approaches

Our Governance Structure

As at March 2008, the Housing Authority (HA) has four official members and 26 non-official members. Appointments are made by the Chief Executive.

The HA's Committee Meeting

The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands has been appointed Chairman of the Authority since 1 April 2003. With the reorganisation of the policy bureaux of the Government Secretariat from 1 July 2007, the Secretary for Transport and Housing was appointed Chairman of the HA. The Director of Housing continues to be the Vice-chairman.

The HA has taken charge of the development and implementation of the public housing programme in Hong Kong. Six standing committees have been formed under the HA to formulate, administer and oversee policies in specified areas including building, commercial properties, finance, strategic planning, subsidised housing and tender. Sub-committees and ad hoc committees are also formed when needed. The Housing Department (HD) acts as the executive arm of the HA in implementing its policies set by its standing committees. The HD is headed by the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), who also assumes the office of the Director of Housing.

Chart: Organisation Chart of HA's Committees and Sub-committees
Organisation Chart of HA's Committees and Sub-committees

The HD has four operation divisions to support the implementation of HA's policies in housing strategies, overall housing administration, development & construction and estate management.

Organisation Chart of Housing Department

Housing Department Environmental, Health and Safety Committee

The Housing Department Environmental, Health and Safety Committee (HDEHSC) is responsible for the development and formulation of policy direction on environmental, health, safety (EHS) and sustainability issues within the department. Effective management of the overall departmental environmental, safety and health issues is supported by the following three sub-committees:

The Housing Department Environmental Sub-committee – assists the HDEHSC in overseeing the progress and performance of environmental initiatives and action plans in the Department.
The Housing Department Occupational Safety and Health Sub-committee – assists the HDEHSC in overseeing the occupational safety and health of employees at their workplace.
The Housing Department Site Safety Sub-committee – assists the HDEHSC in overseeing site safety management measures for works contracts.

Our Management Approaches

Sustainable housing is always a top priority with the HA. It requires not only the commitment of our top management, but also full support of all staff and business partners. To this end we have established and implemented our Environmental and Safety Policies to clearly define and spell out our strategy for managing sustainability issues within the HA and providing a framework for our improvement targets. These policies have been communicated to and are fully supported by our staff, suppliers and contractors.

Environmental Policy

To promote healthy living and a green environment;
To develop a strategic framework and implement environmental management for the promotion of sustainable development;
To strictly comply with and fully implement all relevant environmental legislation and regulations;
To address environmental concerns and incorporate environmental initiatives in planning and design, construction and demolition, marketing and estate management activities;
To minimise environmental impacts from our operations (air, dust, noise, waste and water) on residents and the public;
To develop procurement policies to minimise the use of resources and achieve cost effectiveness;
To promote environmental awareness and participation among staff, residents and contractors through education and publicity programmes; and
To review and seek continual improvement on the implementation of an environmental management system.

Safety Policy

To provide information on safety and health criteria in new projects and maintenance operations for contractors, the public and other key stakeholders;
To make safety and health performance one of the critical considerations in tender selection for all new and existing building projects;
To build up a safety profile of contractors for continuous assessment of safety performance;
To monitor contractor's safety performance by independent and in-house assessment;
To work through partnership by incorporation of contractors' input in respect of safe construction technology and equipment, and
To promote safety and health issues particularly related to HA projects to enhance the safety and health of all persons involved.

Our success in achieving sustainable housing also depends on the support of our business partners. We always look for reliable, competent and long-term business relationships with our suppliers and contractors through open, fair and ethical purchasing practices by offering equal opportunities without prejudice to their geographical location.

We maintain close communications with our suppliers and contractors to ensure that they fully understand and meet our sustainability requirements. We also keep track of supplier and contractor performance through a robust monitoring system that includes regular meetings and audits.

Furthermore we encourage our staff to support green procurement practices by employing environmentally friendly products and services where practicable and economically viable. All staff members are required to observe our Environmental Procurement Policy whenever products and services are purchased.

Environmental Procurement Policy

To identify significant environmental impacts of materials and services in use;
To purchase materials, goods and services to specifications that are compliant with relevant environmental legislation;
To include environmental considerations in our purchasing decisions so that, if technically, acceptable and economically viable, lower environmental-impact goods are purchased;
To assess the environmental commitment of suppliers, contractors and service suppliers as part of the tender evaluation process, and to reward the best environmental performers;
To require contractors and service providers (where appropriate) to produce Environmental Management Plans in their bids for work, and to evaluate the evidence of implementation as part of the supervision of the works;
To provide feedback and advice, and facilitate training to key suppliers, contractors and service providers on environmental performance and improvement opportunities;
To ensure all staff, as well as suppliers, contractors and service providers are aware of, and act in accordance with, the Environmental Procurement Policy and contribute to the HA's environmental objectives; and
To establish systems, targets and action plans for effective environmental procurement and regular reporting on performance.