LCQ13: Barrier-free facilities in public housing
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Question:
Residents of certain aged public housing estates (including public rental housing (PRH) estates under the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) and rental estates under the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS)) have relayed that there is a lack of adequate barrier-free access and facilities within their estates, which is non-conducive to the mobility of the elderly and persons with impaired mobility. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows the plans of the HA and HS to enhance barrier-free access and facilities in their aged PRH estates and rental estates (including the progress of ongoing projects); and
(2) as it is learnt that the staircase connecting Kau Pui Lung Road to Blocks A to E of Lok Man Sun Chuen under the HS serves as an essential access route to and from the estate, while there are views pointing out that this access route lacks barrier-free facilities, thereby causing inconvenience to the elderly and persons with impaired mobility in their daily access, whether the Government will urge the HS to construct an access ramp or install a lift at the relevant location in Lok Man Sun Chuen to address this issue; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In response to the question raised by the Hon Yang Wing-kit, our reply is as follows:
(1) The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) endeavours to enhance barrier-free access and facilities in public rental housing (PRH) estates to meet the needs of PRH residents and users, particularly the elderly and persons with disabilities.
It is the established policy of the HA to provide barrier-free access and facilities in accordance with the prevailing requirements as set out in the "Design Manual: Barrier Free Access" (DM), wherever practicable. In response to the introduction of the "DM 1997" and "DM 2008", the HA undertook necessary barrier-free facilities improvement works in 2001 and 2010 respectively for the premises that were completed prior to the publication of the DM. These improvement works included provision of ramps, installation of suitable handrails at access routes, provision and extension of tactile guide paths connecting the main entrances of the estates to major facilities within the estates and entrances of residential blocks, etc. However, some buildings may not be able to fully install relevant facilities or undergo modifications due to various constraints, such as building design. For all new HA buildings with construction commenced after December 1, 2008, and when existing HA buildings undergo alternations and additional works, the planning and implementation of works shall comply with the mandatory requirements as stipulated in "DM 2008" as far as practicable. In order to address the residents' diverse needs, the HA also makes flexible arrangements. For example, we are currently installing more accessible ramps in aged PRH estates including Ping Shek Estate, Wo Che Estate and Sha Kok Estate, to connect major facilities within the estates to facilitate residents' access. The HA has adopted the concept of "Universal Design" in new public housing estates to create an inclusive and harmonious living environment for people with different physical abilities.
Moreover, in order to enhance the co-ordination of barrier-free initiatives in the public housing estates, the HA has launched the Access Co-ordinator and Access Officer Scheme since 2011. Access Officers stationed in various PRH estates are responsible for assisting individuals with needs in using the barrier-free access and facilities in the PRH estates.
In addition to the provision of barrier-free facilities in common areas, the elderly or persons with disabilities can apply to the HA for adaptation works on facilities in the PRH flats if they have genuine needs. With reference to the advice from doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists or medical social workers, etc, the HA will carry out adaptation works free of charge for the tenants concerned. These works include installing ramp at the entrance of the flat where feasible, widening bathroom doorways, laying anti-skid floor tiles on suitable floor surface, etc. If tenants only request installing grab bars or converting a bathtub into a shower area in the bathroom, in general, the HA will directly arrange the relevant works for the tenant free of charge, without the need for tenant to seek advice from doctors or physiotherapists.
As regards the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS), in response to the challenge of "double ageing", i.e. both the rental estates and residents are growing older, the HS has been continuously deploying resources in major improvement projects to enhance the accessibility of the buildings and public areas across its estates and add barrier-free facilities. Such efforts include adding lifts and transfer escalators, installing stairlifts, constructing transfer lift towers and connecting footbridge, etc. In addition, the HS has replaced over 70 lifts in its aged rental estates over the past decade and plans to progressively carry out lift replacement for other suitable aged rental estates. Moving forward, the HS will continue to assess the condition of its rental estates and explore introducing or enhancing barrier-free access and facilities where feasible and suitable.
(2) HS's Lok Man Sun Chuen, comprising 11 blocks, was completed in phases between 1970 and 1973. Six of these blocks (Blocks A to F) were built along a hilly slope, with Block F situated at a higher elevation. For the convenience of the residents, the HS completed the construction of a transfer lift tower and a footbridge connecting to Block F, as well as a covered walkway in 2014. Residents may take the lift to Block F through the level entrance on Kau Pui Lung Road beneath Block F, then descend to Blocks A to E, without having to walk uphill via the estate's main entrance on Kau Pui Lung Road.
Currently, residents of Blocks A to E are still required to use staircases to reach the entrance of their respective blocks. To address this, the HS has commissioned an engineering consultant, who is now conducting a feasibility study on adding barrier-free access (such as ramps or lifts) at suitable locations across Blocks A to E, taking into account factors such as the site's geological conditions and the potential impact of the works on the residents' daily lives.
In addition, the HS has also engaged a start-up to develop relevant PropTech solutions to assist residents in transporting heavy items such as rice, cooking oil and other daily necessities up and down staircases, further strengthening support for the residents.
With regard to various facilities in the public housing estates, the HA and HS will continue to actively engage in communication and research with local communities/individuals as well as residents within the estates to explore ways to enhance these facilities, and address the needs of various persons in the estates, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Ends/Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:47
Issued at HKT 14:47
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