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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (April 30):

Question:

It has been reported that the security and public facilities of public housing estates are inconvenient for use by the elderly and mobility-handicapped persons. For example, it is difficult for the elderly to memorize the password for opening the security gate whilst wheelchair-bound persons are unable to open the security gate and operate the door-telephone with keypads which are installed at heights without considering the needs of the disabled. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it has assessed if the existing security facilities in public housing estates are convenient for use by the elderly and mobility-handicapped persons; if it has, of the assessment results;

(b) it has considered installing smart card systems for the existing security gates in public housing estates or other security facilities for the convenience of the elderly and mobility-handicapped persons; and

(c) it plans to improve the existing public facilities which are not suitable for use by the elderly and mobility-handicapped persons; and whether it will consider involving them in the design work for the construction of public housing estates in future so that the facilities thereof can meet their needs?

Reply:

Madam President,

My reply to the three-part question is as follows :

(a) While no formal assessment has been conducted, the Housing Department has taken into consideration the special needs of elderly and disabled tenants in designing security facilities in public housing estates. For example, having regard to the normal heights of wheelchairs, the keypads for security doors and entrance intercoms are installed at 1.25 metres to 1.3 metres above ground. The exact height is determined after consultation with the Estate Management Advisory Committees of individual estates. Moreover, we will, on a need basis, provide an additional keypad at a lower position and install door bell for elderly and disabled residents to seek assistance from security guards in entering the building.

(b) The Housing Department launched in August 2002 a trial scheme on the use of smart cards in one housing block at Wan Hon Estate in Kwun Tong, which has a high concentration of elderly residents. However, of the 885 elderly tenants in the block, only 145 (or 16 per cent) have joined the scheme. Access by means of smart cards is as low as 12 times a day. Another pilot project is being implemented at Yau Tong Estate in Kwun Tong. The Housing Department will review the effectiveness of the project within this year to decide whether to extend this scheme to other public housing estates.

(c) To facilitate elderly and disabled persons to use estate facilities, the Housing Department will incorporate enhancement works in the maintenance and improvement programmes for existing public housing estates where practicable. Such enhancements include provision of handrails, access signage for less mobile persons, ramps for entering housing blocks, and dropped kerbs next to pedestrian paths. They are in line with the guidelines set out in the "Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 1997" issued by the Buildings Department.

As regards new public housing estates, the Housing Authority adopts "universal design" to ensure that all estate facilities are convenient to elderly and disabled residents. In drawing up the guidelines on "universal design", in 2001 the Housing Department had launched a five-month public consultation on the key features of the design through mock-up flats. A total of 568 elderly as well as 312 disabled persons and representatives of various organisations visited the mock-up flats and 159 submissions were received. The views expressed have been taken into account in finalizing the design.

The Housing Department also consults the District Council on the layout and proposed facilities for new public housing estates at planning stage. From this year onward, the Housing Department also gauges the views of Estate Management Advisory Committees of newly occupied estates on provision of estate facilities for the purpose of continuous improvement.

End/Wednesday, April 30, 2003

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