Residential site in Tung Chung handed over to Hong Kong Housing Society for development of subsidised sale flats
The Government announced today (December 30) the handover of a residential site in Tung Chung, i.e. Tung Chung Area 122 (TC122), to the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) for development of subsidised sale flats (SSFs).
TC122 was originally one of the government sites identified for tender under the Private Subsidised Sale Flat – Pilot Scheme (the Pilot Scheme).The site is now handed over to the HKHS for development as one of its SSF projects, with around 1 600 SSFs estimated to be completed in 2031-32 preliminarily.
Tung Chung Area 122 (TC122), Photo source: the Housing Bureau
"The Government has all along been pragmatically adjusting the development arrangements of different sites based on social demands and actual circumstances. The HKHS is a close partner of the Government on housing policies with profound experience in the development of SSFs.Having reviewed the latest situation, the Government believes that the handover of TC122 to the HKHS could expedite the development of the SSFs," said a spokesman for the Housing Bureau.
The Government announced in June 2023 the policy framework of the Pilot Scheme, with an aim to tap into market forces and boost overall development capacity.The Government is now closely keeping in view market developments, so as to review if there is a need to suitably adjust some of the key parameters of the Pilot Scheme as well as future tender arrangements for sites under the Pilot Scheme having regard to market conditions. Further announcements will be made in due course.
"The handover of TC122 to the HKHS for development of SSFs is in line with the Government's policy objectives of boosting SSF supply, helping the grassroots achieve home ownership and encouraging upward mobility.The Government believes this would be well received by the public.It will also continue to take forward other measures in respect of enhancing the housing ladder, so as to help citizens achieve home ownership," the spokesman added.
The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), Photo source: reference image
HA to consult District Councils about clearance and rehousing arrangements for redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (December 30) thatit will respectively consult the Central and Western District Council and the Kowloon City District Council next month about the clearance and rehousing arrangements for the redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate (SWE) and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate (MTWE).
"The HA conducts assessments on aged public rental housing (PRH) estates from time to time in order to ensure the buildings are in a safe condition and suitable for accommodating residents. The actual circumstances will also be considered in a prudent manner when deciding whether to redevelop a PRH estate," a spokesman for the HA said.
The HA has reserved adequate rehousing resources for the affected tenants for the clearance and rehousing proposals of the two aforementioned PRH estates. The proposed clearance and rehousing of SWE can be carried out under a single phase in 2029 so that all affected tenants will be rehoused to Phase 1 of the Ka Wai Man Road public housing development (Annex I) nearby in one go. With the thoughtful arrangements by the project team, this proposal will allow all affected tenants to move into the new estate together with their neighbours, maintaining warm neighbourhood relationships and continuing the sense of community. There are currently 636 flats in SWE. It is expected that the number of flats will increase by 460 to about 1 100 flats after the redevelopment to cater for more residents in need.
As for the MTWE redevelopment, in consideration of the unanimous views of the residents and the community that the clearance and rehousing arrangement should be expedited, the HA proposes using part of the new Mei Tung Estate public housing development as additional rehousing resources on top of the reception estate at To Kwa Wan Road public housing development so that the phases of redevelopment can be reduced from three to two, thereby significantly shortening the rehousing period for all MTWE residents from 14 years to seven years. The clearance in Phase 1 will cover Geranium House and Narcissus House and the rehousing of the affected tenants is anticipated to commence in 2028. The clearance and rehousing for Phase 2 will be announced in due course (Annex II). After the redevelopment of the entire estate, the number of flats in MTWE is expected to increase from more than 2 000 to about 4 000 flats, providing over 2 000 additional units for residents in need.
In addition, the HA also proposes offering domestic tenants affected by the clearance a domestic removal allowance to help meet part of their moving expenses. Eligible one-person and two-person households, regardless of age, may also opt to receive a cash allowance in lieu of rehousing to a PRH unit as an alternative option to suit their needs. For example, elderly persons may move into residential care homes for the elderly, settle in the Chinese Mainland, or live with their children, etc. Furthermore, the HA also proposes to accord priority to affected tenants of HA's announced clearance projects who would like to purchase subsidised sale flats (SSFs) in lieu of PRH in flat selection over other applicants in the SSFs sale exercise(s) launched before the target clearance date.
The HA will establish an on-site Community Service Team in SWE and MTWE to help maintain effective communication with the affected households, especially the elderly, to provide help and fully assist them in vacating their existing flats and adapting to their new living environment throughout the project.
Source: AI-found images
