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The Housing Department (HD) today (September 28) began the redevelopment clearance of Wong Chuk Hang Estate, recovering more than 5,000 flats.
"More than 90% of the households had moved out earlier. Extension of stay was granted today for the remaining 20 or so families who had accepted the department's rehousing arrangements. They promised to vacate their flats before the end of October," a department spokesman said.
The Housing Authority announced the clearance of Block 1 to 8 and Block 10 of Wong Chuk Hang Estate in two phases in July, 2003, under the Authority's Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme (CRP). Nearly 80% of the 4,570 affected households chose to be rehoused in the newly completed Shek Pai Wan Estate in Aberdeen.
"The Housing Department also offered Domestic Removal Allowance (DRA) ranging from $3,210 to $8,570 to eligible affected households. The total amount of DRA payable is more than $25 million," the spokesman said.
Built in 1968, Wong Chuk Hang Estate comprises 10 blocks of 12 to 20 storey slab buildings. Block 9 was demolished in the 80s under the Phase 1 of the estate's redevelopment programme.
"All recovered flats were sealed up. The sites have also been fenced up to prevent unauthorised entry," the spokesman said.
To improve the living environment for tenants of old-style public housing estates, the Housing Authority rolled out the CRP in 1988. Fifty six such estates have been cleared with the living environment of over 600,000 public rental housing tenants improved.
The CRP will be completed when the last remaining seven blocks of about 5,400 flats in Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate are cleared by 2008-09 as scheduled.
Ends/Friday, September 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:01
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