URA

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY 47 practical information on building rehabilitation and various rehabilitation subsidy schemes to let property owners equip themselves with more relevant knowledge. A new Building Rehabilitation Platform as an all-in-one information centre has also been formed (as described in the Operating Review). The URA is also devising a building rehabilitation strategy to sustain the life-span of buildings in order to improve the standard of the built environment. Assisting Households in Ageing Districts Redevelopment is more than just replacing the building stock; it is also about improving the living standards of displaced households, including owner- occupiers and tenants. A majority of the buildings in our redevelopment projects are severely dilapidated, with various serviceabiliity hazards and hygiene problems. During 2017/18, acquisition offers were made to the owners of 1,809 property interests in six projects. The cash compensation and ex-gratia payments allow affected domestic owner-occupiers to purchase replacement premises that are in better condition than their existing ones. With a view to enabling residents to retain their social network in the neighbourhood, a flat-for-flat option is also available for domestic owner-occupiers who prefer to buy a flat in the same site after redevelopment. Alternatively, they may also choose to buy a flat in the designated Kai Tak Flat-for-Flat Development. On the other hand, domestic tenants have also been offered cash compensation or rehousing in public rental flats or units in the URA’s Rehousing Blocks. The patience and compassion of URA staff involved in the rehousing arrangements were rewarded with a number of commendation letters in 2017/18 from the beneficiaries of several redevelopment projects, including: Bailey Street/Wing Kwong Street, Hung Fook Street/Ngan Hon Street, Hung Fook Street/Kai Ming Street, Hang On Street, Kai Ming Street/Wing Kwong Street, Tonkin Street/Fuk Wing Street and Castle Peak Road/Un Chau Street, etc. To facilitate a smooth clearance process, our staff have also gone the extra mile in helping tenants with the retrieval of important documents from Government departments, or in providing temporary storage space for tenants during their relocation. In its To Kwa Wan projects, the URA has taken extra steps to strengthen outreach and establish relationships with affected residents of redevelopment projects – especially during the period of uncertainty and anxiety prior to project approval – by launching a new “Project Engagement” Programme. The Programme serves to complement the work of project areas’ Social Service Teams and helps to directly connect residents to the URA. The Programme, which was kick-started in October 2016, was completed within the year in four of the To Kwa Wan projects (i.e. Bailey Street/Wing Kwong Street project, Hung Fook Street/Ngan Hon Street project, Hung Fook Street/Kai Ming Street project and Wing Kwong Street project), with visits paid to about 2,840 occupiers and owner- landlords. Many of the visits were conducted outside office hours. The Programme has also been extended to Sung Hing Lane/Kwai Heung Street project in Central and Western District. Some 98% of owner- occupiers and owner-landlords have been visited as at June 2018. Community Engagement The URA attaches importance in engaging the community with a view to enhancing the understanding of URA’s vision and mission. During the year, we have implemented a structured, message-driven and proactive communication programme through a series of media activities, our Managing Director’s Blog, and articles contributed by our URA Chairman and Board members. In addition, URA Board members and senior management have also been involved in various community and educational activities to enlist public support for URA’s work. (For 2017/18 financial year) Over $ 208 million Loan and Subsidies Released