************************************************************
The Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, said the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and all its district offices have been making every effort to encourage and assist owners of old buildings to enhance building management by forming owners' corporations (OCs) or residents' organisations.
Mrs Tan today (June 17) went to the Holy Carpenter Church Community Centre in Hung Hom to again visit the victims affected by the fire at 111 Ma Tau Wai Road. She called on the residents to unite and form a residents' organisation to enhance the management, environmental hygiene and security of the building.
Together with Liaison Officers responsible for building management in the HAD and Kowloon City District Office (KCDO), Mrs Tan explained in detail the support and services that were specially provided for buildings without OCs, residents' organisations or management companies.
"We are mindful that some owners or residents of old buildings may have difficulties in enhancing building management and maintenance due to their lack of organisation and financial capability or professional knowledge. Hence, we introduced last year the pilot 'Building Management Professional Service Scheme' which provides free professional advice and follow-up services to owners of old buildings," she said.
The services provided under the trial scheme included assisting residents to prepare building management audit reports, to form OCs and to apply for various loans and funding schemes offered by the Government and other relevant organisations, as well as making suggestions on repairs and maintenance. Some 1 600 flat owners have benefitted from the scheme since its introduction, well above the original target of 1 000.
"In the next three years, we plan to help more owners of old buildings with the launching of the 'Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme'. The target buildings will be increased from 50 to about 400 each year. Management of old buildings can be improved if residents unite with one heart.
"Regarding the building affected by the fire, we had approached the owners in the building last year to encourage them to form an OC. We will continue to do so and provide assistance to them. For other old buildings in the district, HAD will actively approach the flat owners concerned and organise workshops and exhibitions to assist residents to form OCs or residents' organisations."
In addition, the KCDO is making every effort to assist people affected by the fire. Up till now, 88 people from 34 households have registered with the office and about $600,000 from relief funds and donations has been distributed. For those who are in need of temporary shelter, the KCDO has contacted the Lands Department to make arrangements for them to move to the Shek Lei Transit Centre.
Ends/Friday, June 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:30
NNNN
