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FS visits elderly in Yau Ma Tei (with photos/video)
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     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (February 17) visited two elderly households in Yau Ma Tei to better understand how Government financial assistance to the elderly had improved their living environment and enhanced domestic safety.  

     Accompanied by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), Mr Wong Kit-loong, Mr Tsang first went to a residential unit in Reclamation Street and met an elderly couple aged 76 and 77, who had benefited from the Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners.  

     Mr Tsang chatted with them and learned that the grant was used in three aspects: to carry out improvement works within their unit including demolishing unauthorised building structures and replacing electrical wiring, to partially pay for repair works of building common areas, and to repay outstanding loans with the HKHS relating to building maintenance.

     Mr Tsang was pleased to hear that the grant not only helped improve safety and living conditions but also eased the coupleˇ¦s financial burden.   

     Joined by Chief Social Work Officer of the Social Welfare Department, Mr Ngan Man-por, Mr Tsang then visited a 94-year-old woman living in a Waterloo Road unit.  

     With the assistance of the Yaumatei Multi-service Centre for Senior Citizens, the woman applied for the Home Environment Improvement Scheme for the Elderly after she had slipped and fallen in her bathroom.  She was subsequently given the subsidy to install safety fittings such as handrails in her bathroom.

     The resident told Mr Tsang that the scheme had enabled her to improve domestic safety at her home.

     After his visit to the two beneficiaries, Mr Tsang found it encouraging that Government support for elders in need had proved to be effective and provided them a better and safer living environment.

Ends/Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:53

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