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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) has published a sustainability report entitled "Stepping Forward in Sustainable Housing".
The report covers the HA's commitments and priorities on the sustainable development of public housing; and its environmental, social and economic performance from April 1, 2007, to March 31, 2008.
"We have been working to ensure the implementation, maintenance and sustainability of an effective housing programme that not only meets Hong Kong's requirements but also contributes towards a stable and happy community," a spokesman for the HA said today (April 24).
In the period under review, the HA put a lot of effort into the environmental, social and economic aspects of housing, which included work on air quality, greening and landscaping, noise control, waste management, energy, water, material usage and control of hazardous materials. As a result, the air quality impact of the HA's operations was reduced, noise nuisance minimised, energy and water consumption reduced.
The HA planted about 2,400 trees, 575,600 shrubs and 64,300 annuals in its estates and improved landscape design for 22 public housing estates, covering a total area of 116,000 square metres under the Landscape Improvement Programme. Substantial efforts were also made to provide green treatments for slopes in all of its new development projects.
Efforts in promoting safety and workers' rights, as well as staff development and participation, helped to reduce the accident rate, protect workers' wage payment and enhance staff capability and development.
The review period also witnessed the HA's efforts in monitoring its financial performance, housing rent policy, resource optimisation and cost effective operations.
"The report outlines our efforts to balance the economic, social and environmental needs and concerns of all our stakeholders and measures to work together with them on the promotion of sustainable housing," said the spokesman.
Highlighted in the report are two case studies: "Green Delight in Estates" - making public rental housing a greener living place, and "Redevelopment of Kwai Chung Estate" - practising sustainable development.
Looking forward, the Authority will continue to incorporate sustainability principles and measures into all of its activities and practices.
"The HA will continue its efforts in the pursuit of achieving various environmental, social and economic targets to meet the sustainability challenges ahead and ultimately attain performance excellence," added the spokesman.
To reduce paper consumption, the report is produced on CD-ROM for distribution to the target audience. It can also be viewed on the HA/HD website (www.housingauthority.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, April 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:19
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