The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Authority's (HA's) Commercial Properties Committee (CPC), Ms Serena Lau, and various CPC members today (June 16) visited the HA's public housing estates to inspect the HA's non-domestic facilities.
The group first visited domestic flats converted from empty bays at Wo Che Estate in Shatin. Conversion works involved six twin-tower type blocks, with internal floor areas of converted units ranging from about 31 to 40 square metres. Members were pleased to note that technical staff of the Housing Department (HD) had adopted various measures to resolve the difficulties encountered, including resolving issues concerning the headroom of units, and the addition of barriers to strengthen the security and privacy of the units concerned.
"A total of 21 completed units are now ready for allocating to applicants for public housing. The HA will continue to study the feasibility of converting suitable spaces in public housing blocks into domestic or other uses for best use of resources," an HD spokesman said.
Members then paid a visit to Shek Mun Shopping Centre, also located in Shatin. They were informed of its modern design, layout and trade mix. The shopping centre was opened in 2019 with a total retail area of about 2 400 sq m. This two-storey shopping centre comprises 23 shops featuring different trades, catering for the daily needs of residents. Shops include a Chinese restaurant, supermarket, cafés, convenience store, bakery, hairdresser and beauty salon, education and cultural centre, medical clinic, laundry and personal store, etc.
"There is also a single operator market which has a lettable area of about 900 sq m with 42 shopstalls offering dry and wet goods as well as cooked food," the spokesman said.
Members then went to Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre in Tsuen Wan. The six-storey shopping centre, which comprises three floors of retail shops and three floors of carpark facilities, was opened in 2005. For better utilisation of resources and to enhance the business environment, the centre had undergone improvement works earlier, which was completed in May last year.
"After the improvement works, the shopping centre offers a greater variety of trades to assist tenants with their daily needs," the spokesman noted.
Finally, members visited a single-operator market renovated by the tenant in Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre. The renovation works brought a refreshing look to the market. The use of energy-saving installations and the improvement of air-side distribution of the air-conditioning system, etc, also created a more comfortable environment for shoppers.
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