***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has decided to replace some 176 300 old-type see-through collapsible gates at public rental housing estates and unsold flats at Tenants Purchase Scheme estates at an estimated cost of $607 million.
At a meeting of the Building Committee (BC) of the HA today (November 21), it was agreed that old-type see-through collapsible gates of some 176 300 households, involving 101 estates, are to be replaced in a five-year programme, starting in 2015-16. Elderly households and tenants with disabilities will be given priority.
"The HA always seeks to adopt proactive and pragmatic measures to enhance the living standard of tenants whenever resources permit. The HA decided to replace the old-type collapsible gates with a view to enhancing building sustainability, upgrading facilities and addressing the concern of the tenants on the poor condition of the old gates which require frequent repairs and are difficult to operate, especially for the elderly and tenants with disabilities. Furthermore, operating the old gates generates more noise than operating the new ones and thus causes nuisance," a spokesman for the HA said.
He also pointed out that this type of collapsible gate has been in use for many years, and spare parts are no longer available in the market for repair works.
"The replacement programme will not cover collapsible gates (Harmony type) installed in most Harmony blocks and those at some non-standard blocks, which are in good condition. Furthermore, the estates with announced redevelopment programmes, where the new installations would be used for no more than five years, will not be covered by the programme as well," he added.
Following approval by the BC, the Housing Department will work out a detailed implementation programme and inform the Estate Management Advisory Committee concerned when ready.
Ends/Friday, November 21, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:56
NNNN
