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A comprehensive and sustainable programme to improve personal and environmental hygiene in public housing estates (PHEs) has been introduced by the Housing Department, including the appointment of 100 "drainage ambassadors" to conduct door-to-door inspection of indoor drainage facilitates, as well as a new enforcement scheme that aims to deter habitual littering offenses of tenants.
The Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Housing), Mr Leung Chin-man said today (May 29) that hygiene problems have persisted in PHEs despite efforts to publicise and educate tenants on cleanliness in the past years.
"The outbreak of the Atypical Pneumonia (AP) has forged the community's consensus over the importance of good public hygiene. It is high time that the problem of cleanliness be uprooted through self-initiated action of tenants and tougher enforcement by the Department."
On home hygiene, a "drainage ambassadors" scheme has been launched for 100 staff-turned ambassadors to carry out door-to-door inspection of indoor drainage facilities at 300 blocks in older estates and with a high concentration of elderly tenants. Immediate repairs will be arranged should defects be detected during the proactive inspection.
In addition, the Department will also engage its technical staff to initiate half-yearly inspections of external drainage pipes.
"There are concerns about the conditions and maintenance of sewerage systems in our buildings since the outbreak of AP. The launching of proactive inspection programmes squarely addresses such concerns," Mr Leung remarked.
Tenants are encouraged to report drainage defects, as well as hygiene black spots, by making use of 24-hour hotlines set up in their estates.
At the same time, cleansing efforts will continue to be stepped up. Actions in the pipeline include major cleansing operations to be conducted at 250 hygiene black spots in 99 estates before the end of August.
In partnering with domestic and commercial tenants, two cleanliness incentive schemes will be launched to mobilise the concerted efforts of tenants to maintain a high level of cleanliness at home and in commercial premises.
The Housing Authority's Subsidised Housing Committee (SHC) has approved the allocation of 60 percent of the $50 million budget for Estate Management Advisory Committee in 2003/04 for cleanliness enhancement programmes in 121 estates, Mr Leung noted.
They include the use of refuse bags and arrangements for refuse collection tailor-made for individual estates.
"In promoting community hygiene, the Department will step up enforcement action against illegal cooked food hawkers and cooked food stall operators violating food and hygiene laws. Joint raids will be conducted with the police and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to protect the community from environmental hazards," said Mr Leung.
Meanwhile, the SHC also approved today an enforcement scheme whereby persistent litterbugs in PHEs will be asked to stop their bad habits or they may risk having their tenancies terminated.
Under the marking scheme, hygiene-related offences such as littering, spitting and throwing objects from height will be categorized on a range from three to seven penalty points according to the degree of risk caused to public hygiene. Tenants with 16 points accumulated over a two-year period will have their tenancy terminated. (See Annex for list of offences.)
The measure, to be introduced in August, is targeted at repeated offenders whose irresponsible and inconsiderate acts are posing serious threats to public hygiene in densely populated estates, Mr Leung said.
"The move is in line with the Government's efforts to promote cleanliness around the territory and demonstrates the HA's determination to nourish a new cleansing culture in our estates," he added.
Mr Leung said that in the long run, it is hoped that all public housing tenants would construct a new culture of good personal hygiene, keeping their households and estates clean.
To take tougher action against spitting and littering offenders, the Department's inspection teams are working under a new modus operandi for efficient and effective patrols and enforcement.
"The Department will alert tenants once they have accrued ten points or above, and will act prudently to review all relevant circumstances before a Notice-to-Quit is issued on those with 16 points or above."
"Similar to all terminations of tenancy, tenants will have the right to lodge an appeal to the Appeal Panel," Mr Leung said.
An intensive publicity and education campaign will be launched before the marking scheme comes into effect in August. Notification letters will be sent to individual tenants, while outreaching teams will visit elderly households to render assistance as far as possible.
List of offences under the marking system (Outline):
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Category A (3 points):
1. Drying clothes in public areas (except designated areas)
2. Drying floor mop in laundry pole-holders causing dripping
3. Putting flower pots at balconies causing dripping
4. Dripping oil from exhaust fan
Category B (5 points):
1. Littering
2. Disposing domestic refuse, food remains improperly
3. Keeping animal, bird or livestock inside leased premises
4. Fouling public places with animal faeces
5. Creating nuisances to others, e.g. offensive smell
6. Using leased premises for unauthorized purposes
7. Obstructing corridors or stairs
8. Boiling wax in public areas
Category C (7 points):
1. Throwing objects from height
2. Spitting in public areas
3. Urinating in public places
4. Dumping of decoration debris indiscriminately at refuse collection point, within building or in other public areas
5. Denying the landlord entry for drainage repairs
6. Refusing repair of leaking pipes or sanitary fittings
7. Damaging down pipes causing leakage to the flat below
End/Thursday, May 29, 2003 NNNN
