Overwhelming response calls for another transitional housing open day in the summer

The Housing Bureau organized the transitional housing open day on Saturday as operators seized the chance to introduce to the public the living environment, community services, transportation, and facilities of their projects and accept on-site applications. 

The open day also offered free round-trip shuttle buses for citizens to visit the United Court and Pok Oi Kong Ha Wai Village in Yuen Long, and “A Square” in Stanley. 

A woman Lo, who lives in a partition flat in Sham Shui Po, says she is considering submitting an application for the housing projects in Kam Tin and Hung Shui Kiu. She adds that the flats there are bigger and it is more convenient for her to visit her son’s family on the mainland. 

Another citizen Tang finds that the transportation for “A Square” is convenient as there are many minibus routes operating in the area. She also accepts a more remote residence as she notes that many Hongkongers have to work in other districts other than their homes. 

Tang says she will explore other options as she worries her child’s study may be affected by the location. 

Over 1,200 visits were recorded and Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin was thrilled to see the overwhelming response, joking that the organizers and operators were on fire and wanted even more. 

“I hope to organize another open day in the summer holidays as I saw many families bringing along their children to today’s open day,” she said. 

Ho also said authorities will actively consider turning elderly housing into transitional housing after the ombudsman earlier pointed out the low occupancy rates. 

She noted many transitional housing units will be completed by the end of this year and early next year. She hoped citizens in need can obtain the latest information and submit their applications as soon as possible. 

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