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The Housing Department will relocate four of its five Regional Management Offices (RMOs) to the Housing Authority Customer Services Centre (CSC) in Lok Fu by early next year.

A department spokesman said the relocation would save future rental payments as the four RMOs were presently located at commercial premises  included in the divestment portfolio.

"The relocation will result in the optimal use of the existing accommodation while keeping the purpose built facilities at CSC to maintain quality services to our clients," the spokesman said.

"The centralisation of the RMOs under one roof will also optimise the shared use of some common facilities, such as conference rooms and reception counters, resulting in a saving in their space requirements," the spokesman added.

Fitting-out works at the four-storey building will be carried out in phases beginning from late last month. The four RMOs - Kowloon West & Hong Kong; Tai Po, North, Shatin & Sai Kung; Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan & Islands; and Tuen Mun & Yuen Long - will be relocated to the upper two levels of CSC by early next year. The remaining Kowloon East RMO will stay put at Chun Wah Court in Ngau Tau Kok.

Offices with frequent public visitors, mainly the Allocation Sub-division and the Business Opportunity Centre of the Commercial Properties Sub-division, will be concentrated on the lower two levels.

Following the termination of the Home Ownership Scheme and the gradual winding down of activities related to various housing subsidy schemes, the department has explored various options to fill up the vacant office accommodation at the CSC.

Ends/Saturday, April 23, 2005

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