HONG KONG: In an effort to improve support services for public rental housing tenants, the Housing Advisory and Service Team based in Tin Shui Wai will extend its service to Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tung Chung districts beginning next year.

Launched on April 16, 2008, the Housing Advisory and Service Team in Tin Shui Wai District has served 11 public housing tenant estates. The pilot scheme, having been judged successful, will be extended for two more years by the Subsidised Housing Committee of the Housing Authority, expanding service to the three new areas.

"The three districts have similar residents as those living in Tin Shui Wai," said Chief Manager/Management (Support Services 2) of Housing Department Tony Liu. "Most of them are new arrivals or people on low income. They are not familiar with the living environment in the vicinity."

Liu believed that with the help of the team, the prospective tenants could be integrated into the new community much more easily and earlier than in the past.

Besides conducting orientation briefings for some 4,000 prospective tenants in Tin Shui Wai district, the team has helped Estate Management Advisory Committees (EMACs) organize neighborhood functions of different types and community-building activities. In addition to regular home visits and road show programs, the team has set up a telephone hotline providing consultation services to about 2,000 tenants.

"Most importantly, the team has a strong communication network with non-government organizations in the districts," said Liu.

The staff will increase from 11 to 15. The estimated cost of funding the project is about HK$5.4 million over the two years. Basic service will remain unchanged.

(HK Edition 12/08/2009 page1)