Social News
Written by: Wang Jieen and Zhang Jiamin
2020-11-26 08:00
Last update date: 2020-11-26 08:00
Tai Hang Sai Village in Shek Kip Mei is the only private low-rent housing estate in Hong Kong.
In the past 55 years, the word "reconstruction" has been mentioned many times, but in the end it was not implemented.
The latest "Policy Address" mentioned that the URA will cooperate with the Hong Kong Civilian Building Company to provide more than 3,300 units by then, which is about double the current 1,600 units.
Ouyang Kit-chen, chairman of the Tai Hang Sai Village Resident Rights Concern Group, said that many residents have reached a consensus that they hope to live in public housing and hope that after the reconstruction of Tai Hang Sai Village they can provide rental units. But so far, the "policy address" does not have any Details, frankly very worried and disappointed.
She said that she hoped that the government, the URA and the Hong Kong Civilian Building Company could discuss with the residents to reach a consensus.
The eight buildings in Tai Hang West Village are named after "Prosperity and prosperity are smooth, well-being and peaceful." However, many units are already empty, and the buildings look mottled and old from a distance.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
The reconstruction of Tai Hang Sai Village once again "on the list" in the policy address.
The URA later stated that it would provide more "first home" (first-homed on-board) units after the redevelopment, including about 1,300 units used by the civilian housing company for the replacement of existing tenants, and about 2,000 units will be rebuilt The "first home" residential units provided by the URA are sold at a market discount.
The URA admits that the design of the housing unit type will focus on the needs of family applicants, and the area is larger. Therefore, the total number of units after redevelopment will be less than the 4,925 units proposed to be built by the civilian housing company in 2016 to the Town Planning Board.
Relevant amendments will be proposed later.
The source pointed out that Pingfang Building Co., Ltd. is responsible for handling leasing-related work, such as relocating tenants, while the URA assists in the reconstruction work and will contribute money or effort.
Regarding the earlier suggestion that some units will be "available for rent or for purchase", the source pointed out that there is no final decision at this stage, and plans are expected to be announced as soon as a few months later.
Dakeng West Village is Ouyang Jiezhen’s home for more than 40 years. She lived from the age of 15 until she was about to retire.
At the beginning, a family of ten squeezed in a unit in Dongtou Village’s relocation area, sharing toilets with the neighbors on the left and right. An interconnected canal was divided into different numbers of compartments. The toilets were flushed at regular intervals and the entire space was stinking.
She still remembers the feeling of moving into a new house from the unoccupied area, "Finally I have my own toilet and kitchen. Don't line up to take a shower!"
Residents: the escape door becomes a village for the elderly
Dakengxi Village was completed in 1965. After 55 years of wind and frost, Ouyang Jiezhen’s "escape door" turned into an "elderly village" in a flash.
The building looks old and mottled from a distance, with glass windows affixed with a white "cross", and when you look closer, the interior is empty, leaving countless units empty.
The residents here almost "have no access", and most of the rest are elderly.
Even the rent stayed in the 90s. "In 1998, the rent would be increased, and the residents opposed it. After a year, it would freeze (rent) until Yijia."
There is a "small shopping mall" on the first floor of Minxing Building in Dakeng West Village. The excitement of that year has gone forever. The tea restaurant and the grain and oil grocery store have long since closed, and the signs still remain.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
Elderly people without lifts "release the wind" in the corridor
Dakeng West Village is like a frozen time and space. The old shops in the past still have signs after closing. There are no elevators in the eight buildings. Residents have to go up and down the stairs first.
District Councillor Tan Guoqiao said that the elderly have inconvenience in getting in and out, so they can only "release the wind" in the corridor.
On that day, Ouyang Jieling led the reporter to visit Dakeng West Village and walked a few floors. She also panted and said, "I used to think that I was not wild when I was young, and I had to shake my breath when I walked to the fourth floor."
After more than 40 years, Ouyang Jieling's kitchen wall has severely peeled off.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
The concrete flaking and water seepage seriously
However, for residents, safety is the most important thing.
Some buildings had to be reinforced with pillars many years ago. Ouyang Jieling's kitchen wall was also severely peeled off, large pieces of concrete fell, and even steel bars were seen. Although they tried to deal with it, they returned to their original shape soon after.
Some neighbors’ toilets leaked liquid, and even because the walls were moldy, the water heaters of several households fell. "One time it was thrown on the mother-in-law’s feet, and the road was numb. It was all possible, but it was not as convenient as before. "
Ouyang Jiezhen is the chairman of the Resident Rights Concern Group of Tai Hang West Village and a resident of Tai Hang West Village. She has been concerned about the reconstruction of the village for many years.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
See-saw reconstruction has not yet been implemented
"The fourth uncle (Li Zhaoji, founder of Henderson Real Estate) said in 2014 that he wanted to donate land for reconstruction. We are really happy and excited!" said Ouyang Jiezhen. Dakeng West Village has been mentioned many times for reconstruction, but every time The expectations of the residents have all failed.
In fact, Lee Shau-kee had put forward different plans for reconstruction, such as rebuilding as a youth housing and "a home for hard-working young entrepreneurs." The reconstruction of Tai Hang West Village had already appeared in the "policy address" of the former chief executive Leung Chun-ying.
Later, the Town Planning Board approved an application for redevelopment in 2016, but the original plan was only to "sell but not rent." Later, although there were adjustments, only 560 units in one of the buildings were left for rent. Tan Guoqiao worried about renting out the units after the reconstruction. The quantity is difficult to meet the needs of residents.
He also pointed out that according to a questionnaire survey conducted in June this year, 97% of residents hope that the government can participate in reconstruction and resettlement.
It is hoped that public housing can be used for resettlement.
This time the URA cooperated with the Hong Kong Civilian Building Company for reconstruction.
Ouyang Jiezhen believes that many residents have reached a consensus that they hope to live in public housing and hope that Tai Hang Sai Village can provide rental units after the reconstruction. However, the new "policy address" so far does not contain any details. She is very worried and disappointed. .
She said that she hoped that the government, the URA and the Hong Kong Civilian Building Company could discuss with the residents to reach a consensus.
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