Study Buddy (Explorer): Five Hong Kong public housing estates set for major refresh
- Government will implement ‘heart-warming’ features to encourage social interaction and combat loneliness among elderly residents
- This page is for students who want to take their understanding to the next level with difficult vocabulary and questions to test their inference skills
Hong Kong authorities plan to “enhance the well-being” of some public housing estates. Photo: Jelly TseThis page is for students who want to take their understanding to the next level with difficult vocabulary and questions to test their inference skills
[1] Five of Hong Kong’s public rental housing estates will undergo large-scale renovations to enhance the well-being of tenants. Features such as easily accessible chairs and handrails in common areas will be installed according to a new design guide launched by authorities.
[2] Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said the government will carry out the work on the estates by 2027. The five estates covered by the pilot scheme are Kai Yip Estate in Kwun Tong, Fu Shan Estate in Wong Tai Sin, Chak On Estate in Sham Shui Po, Shui Pin Wai Estate in Yuen Long and Mei Lam Estate in Sha Tin.
[3] The housing minister said she hoped the many features listed in the new guide would encourage elderly residents to stay engaged in the community. “Elderly residents, especially those living on their own, like going downstairs to meet others ... But as they get older, they lack the confidence to leave their homes because they get worried about falling,” Ho said. She stressed that having a social life was “important” for the elderly.
[4] “Installing handrails in the corridor, leaning benches in lifts and hanging hooks next to postboxes will encourage them to go downstairs to make new friends, do tai chi or have tea,” Ho said. She noted that design features like hanging hooks would allow people to hang their items, such as grocery bags, while they checked their postboxes, helping them in seemingly small but significant ways.
[5] Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his 2022 policy address that the government would look at improving the sense of well-being among public rental housing residents. He echoed comments made by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who said the “happiness” of ordinary Hongkongers should be addressed.
[6] Housing authorities hired consultants to gather opinions from more than 3,000 public housing tenants to develop over 170 design suggestions. The recommendations fall under eight concepts, such as inclusive living, sustainability and boosting the health of residents. Other ideas included installing accessible chairs of different heights for children and transforming public areas into jogging tracks.
[7] According to authorities, the new guide was designed to provide a reference for building future public housing estates in addition to improving existing blocks. The government has hired consultants for four of the five estates set to be renovated. The process of awarding the contract for the final estate is still ongoing.
[8] Ho said the consultants would tailor their designs to the different needs of the estates. For example, those with more elderly residents would be offered more elderly-friendly facilities. Funds for the refurbishments will come from the Housing Authority’s regular maintenance and improvement budget, she added.
Source: South China Morning Post, September 2
Questions
1. What will happen to the public housing estates mentioned in paragraph 1?
A. They will be developed into private estates.
B. They will be torn down.
C. They will undergo renovation.
D. all of the above
2. Which estate is not included in the pilot scheme, according to paragraph 2?
A. Wo Lok Estate
B. Kai Yip Estate
C. Shui Pin Wai Estate
D. Chak On Estate
3. In paragraph 3, why are elderly people often unwilling to leave their homes?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. According to Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho, why is it essential for the elderly to have a social life?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Decide whether the following statements based on paragraph 4 are True, False or the information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) The hanging hooks will be installed in residents’ bedrooms.
(ii) Residents will be able to sit in the lifts.
(iii) Each hanging hook can hold up to 10kg.
(iv) There are plans to install handrails inside every flat.
6. Find a word in paragraph 5 that means “general health and happiness”. _________________________________
7. According to paragraph 6, what are three of the main themes of the design suggestions?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Which of the following design features mentioned in paragraph 6 is targeted at young children?
A. community gardens
B. chairs of different heights
C. phone-charging facilities
D. jogging tracks
9. According to paragraph 8, who will pay for the refurbishment of the estates?
___________________________________________________
Answers
1. C
2. A
3. because they get worried about falling
4. so that they can stay engaged in the community and not feel lonely (accept all similar answers)
5. (i) F; (ii) T; (iii) NG; (iv) F
6. well-being
7. inclusive living, sustainability and boosting the health of residents
8. B
9. the Housing Authority