The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has announced that, with the assistance of the Government Property Agency (GPA), the programme to purchase private premises for accommodating welfare facilities commenced today (September 29).
 
     Owners of potentially suitable non-domestic premises available for sale may submit their sale proposals to the GPA for consideration.
 
     "With funding approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, the Government will purchase premises for the provision of welfare facilities, including child care centres, day care centres for the elderly, neighbourhood elderly centres, offices for on-site pre-school rehabilitation services, and more, to help address the shortage of welfare premises," a spokesman for the SWD said.
 
     The SWD will purchase in batches accommodation for about 160 welfare facilities in 18 districts, as listed in the Annex.
 
     Target premises for purchase include commercial premises/offices (excluding Grade A office buildings in central business districts) or premises of revitalised industrial buildings.
 
     The GPA will assist the SWD to identify suitable premises. Information on the welfare facilities to be accommodated in the first batch of premises to be purchased and details on submission of sale proposals are now provided on the GPA's website (www.gpa.gov.hk/english/premises/invitation.html).
 
     "Owners of potentially suitable premises who may wish to offer their premises are invited to check the deadlines for submission of sale proposals for individual districts, as those submitted after the respective deadlines may not be considered by the Government," the spokesman added.

Ends/Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Issued at HKT 15:12

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