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The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, today (November 22) visited elderly tenants living in public rental housing (PRH) estates in Sham Shui Po to better understand their needs.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), Mr Thomas Chan Chun-yuen, Ms Cheng visited an elderly tenant living in So Uk Estate who has benefited from the relaxed addition policy introduced in August.
The relaxation of the addition policy was one of the enhanced schemes launched by the Housing Authority (HA) in support of the Government policy of "Aging in Place" for the elderly. Under the new policy, adult offspring (and their family members) of elderly tenants can be added to the PRH tenancy. Over 200 PRH households have added their adult children to the tenancies under the enhanced policy so far.
Ms Cheng also visited the Housing for Senior Citizens (HSC) flats in Fu Cheong Estate where she was briefed on the services provided for the elderly tenants.
"The HSC, which was furnished with common rooms, television hall, reading and activities corners, facilitates social interaction and mutual support among the residents," Ms Cheng said, adding that such hostel type PRH flat with 24-hour warden service could render better attention and care to the elderly tenants.
Ms Cheng, with the company of the Chairman of the HA's Tender Committee, Professor the Hon Patrick Lau Sau-shing, visited Mei Ho House in Shek Kip Mei Estate, the last "H" block PRH building still standing in Hong Kong. Mei Ho House, which was one of the first resettlement buildings built in 1954, was accorded Grade 1 historic status in May 2005.
"An Infinity Journey - Ideas Competition for Mei Ho House", the open competition to tap ideas of the public on ways to re-use the historic building was approaching the closing stages. Sponsored jointly by the HA and Development Bureau and co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Hong Kong Institute of Planners and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, the result of the competition will be announced next month.
Ends/Thursday, November 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:40
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