Page 43 - URA Annual Report 2020-21

Mandatory Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme (MBISS)
Under MBISS, the URA assists building owners to arrange first inspections of the common parts of their buildings, which are subject to statutory notices issued by the Buildings Department (BD) under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme. Owners of buildings requiring rehabilitation upon inspection may apply for rehabilitation works assistance under IBRAS. From 2012 to May 2021, about 650 building blocks (involving around 16,500 units) have commenced/completed the prescribed inspections under the MBISS.
Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Needy Owners (BMGSNO)
As announced in the 2019 Policy Address, the Government
injected an additional funding of $2 billion to enhance the Building
Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners. The scheme was
launched in 2008 and administered previously by the Hong Kong
Housing Society to provide financial assistance to needy elderly
owner-occupiers in undertaking repair and maintenance works
for their properties. Opportunity was then taken to enhance the
scheme by expanding the scope of beneficiaries, raising the
subsidy ceiling and relaxing the asset limit for elderly applicants.
Taken over by the URA, the scheme was later rechristened as
BMGSNO to reflect the enhanced scope. Following its launch in
July 2020, around 5,000 eligible applications have been received
MBISS
650
building blocks commenced/ completed inspection
BMGSNO
up to May 2021.
5,000
eligible applications
Building Drainage System Repair Subsidy Scheme (DRS)
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been heightened concerns regarding potential health risks posed by defective drainage. As a result, a new building rehabilitation initiative, the DRS, was launched by the Government under the 2020 Policy Address in partnership with the URA on 1 May 2021, with a total commitment of $1 billion to subsidise the investigation, repair, rectification and/or upgrading works of the common drains of aged domestic buildings with lower ratable values. In addition to an online briefing held on 30 April 2021 to promote this scheme, radio and newspaper advertisements were launched in May 2021 to call for applications. In the first phase, the URA would handle applications for buildings having outstanding statutory orders issued by the BD relating to common drains.
URA ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21 39
Operating Review Corporate Sustainability Management Discussion and Analysis Projects at a Glance Corporate Governance