SWD renders full assistance to SAHK on temporary relocation of LOHAS Garden

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) said today (August 21) that it is rendering full assistance to the SAHK to temporarily relocate service users of the LOHAS Garden to the Helping Hand Cheung Muk Tau Holiday Centre for the Elderly (Holiday Centre) in Sai Kung.

     The SAHK's LOHAS Garden, located at the building on 51 Sheung Shing Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, provides residential care and day training services for persons with disabilities (PWDs). According to the monitoring data of the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), the foundation of the southwestern corner of the building had shown signs of differential settlement. The ArchSD has conducted initial grouting works on the foundation of the building, which has effectively relieved the settlement condition. Upon assessments, the ArchSD confirmed that the building is structurally safe at present. Continuous monitoring and assessments as well as further investigation will be conducted by the ArchSD in the building in order to find out the cause of the differential settlement. The ArchSD will formulate concrete maintenance plans in accordance with the findings.

     Upon the ArchSD's advice, the SWD and the SAHK, after deliberation and finalisation of relevant details, plan to temporarily relocate the residents of the LOHAS Garden in phases from August 29 to the Holiday Centre, so as to avoid the noise and dust nuisance caused by the works from disturbing the residents, staff members and visitors. The relocation will also vacate the building for detailed investigation and follow-up works.

     The SAHK currently provides both residential care and day training services for 182 PWDs in the LOHAS Garden, while another 40 PWDs are receiving only day training services. As the temporary relocation arrangement is expected to last for some time, the SAHK has conducted briefings for the families concerned today on the detailed arrangements.

     The SWD is rendering full assistance to the temporary relocation arrangement, including provision of extra resources to relevant organisations. While the Holiday Centre has already been equipped with barrier-free facilities, the environment of the venue will be further enhanced to better serve the needs of the PWDs of different service units of the LOHAS Garden. Upon the SWD and the SAHK's liaison with the Holiday Centre, refinements to the site's facilities and procurement of appropriate equipment are under way to ensure that service users can continue to receive residential care and day training services in a safe environment. Meanwhile, to assist service users who receive only day training services and families visiting the Holiday Centre, the SWD will provide extra resources to the SAHK so that designated transportation travelling to and from the Holiday Centre can be arranged.

     The SWD and the ArchSD will maintain close contact with the SAHK on the development and corresponding arrangements, and apprise the families of the latest information in a timely manner.