The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
Members of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) and its Commercial Properties Committee visited the HA's non-domestic facilities today (August 2).
The group first visited some domestic flats converted from non-domestic facilities at Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong, each with a size ranging from about 31 to 37 square metres. Members were pleased to note that the efforts made by staff of the Housing Department (HD) to explore different options to overcome technical difficulties during the conversion process. The estate is a Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) estate in which an owners' corporation (OC) has been formed and manages the common areas and facilities of the estate. Therefore, liaison with the OC was required to re-arrange communal drainage pipes and electrical installations with a view to providing necessary building services and other facilities for the converted flats.
"The HD was thankful to the OC for its co-operation in the completion of the conversion works. The completed domestic flats will be allocated to eligible public rental housing applicants. The HD will continue to study the feasibility of converting suitable spaces in public housing blocks into domestic or other uses for the best use of resources," a spokesman for the HD said.
Members then went to another TPS estate, Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin, to see its market. The HD earlier carried out a series of improvement works to the market, which has been operating since 1982, with a view to keeping pace with the general market and enhancing the business and shopping environment. The improvement works included the installation of an air-conditioning system, re-ordering the market layout as well as the upgrading and renovation of various facilities. The improvement works were completed in phases since May this year, providing 49 shopstalls. Apart from existing stall tenants and the trade mix, other trades, including cooked food stalls providing dine-in and takeaway services, were introduced to attract patronage and enhance the competitiveness of the market. After the improvement works, the outlook of the market has been uplifted, with more variety of trades and a more comfortable shopping environment.
"During the course of the works, staff of the HD communicated closely with market stall tenants, the Pok Hong Estate OC and other stakeholders to explore various options to resolve the challenges, including identifying suitable locations to provide temporary stalls which would enable stall tenants to continue operation when the improvement works were in progress, as well as implementing stringent site management measures to reduce the impact on residents and tenants caused by the works," the spokesman said.
Finally, members visited Hoi Tat Estate in Sham Shui Po. They were briefed on the modern design, layout and trade mix of the commercial facilities. A total of nine shops and a single-operator market are provided in the estate with a total retail area of about 4 300 sq m. Trades operating at the shops include a Chinese restaurant, a supermarket, a fast food shop, a convenience store, a bakery, an education and cultural centre and a laundry, etc. The single-operator market has a total of 90 shopstalls offering dry and wet trades as well as cooked food. The shops and market have commenced business gradually from 2021, providing daily necessities for residents.
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