'Give Choi Hung residents diverse housing options'

A lawmaker on Wednesday said Choi Hung needs to be redeveloped but expressed concerns over how the neighbourhood would become a construction site for residents affected in later phases of the decades-long overhaul, and how people will be relocated. Bill Tang, who represents the Kowloon East Constituency, made the comment after housing authorities submitted its plan for the redevelopment to be made in three phases, which wraps up in 2048. "The residents living in Choi Hung must live with a construction site for over 20 years. The first building will be removed and then rebuilt and from the first building to the last building, it will be over 20 years. That means the last building will be removed maybe at the age of 80 years old," he said. He said this is not ideal since there are safety risks involved with living in older buildings. "Some residents, they even say that they may suffer maybe suddenly in the flat there's a little bit of [cement] falling down. We all know that only with redevelopment [can the problem be solved]." Tang expressed the hope that authorities will offer a diverse range of housing options for affected residents. "The residents who live in the first phase… they know they need to move out, but they really want to stay in Choi Hung. We suggest there should be diverse options for the phase one residents," he said. "Not only invite them to live in new Mei Tung Estate or live in the Home Ownership Scheme housing, but at the same time, if there are some empty Choi Hung flats here in phase two or phase three." The lawmaker also noted that volunteers will need to be recruited to assist elderly families that will have to relocate. Choi Hung resident Tsang said he will be relocating to Mei Tung Estate. "I'm somewhat satisfied but transportation is not as convenient as Choi Hung. You have to walk quite a bit either to Lok Fu or Wong Tai Sin Station – but what can you do? It's better than nothing and we have a place to settle down," he said. Fellow resident Pang said he will be closing his small shop of 20 years in Choi Hung Estate soon. "It's hard to maintain a small shop in a public housing estate, especially with everyone shopping up north. The spending patterns have changed significantly and the ageing population is increasing," he said. A woman surnamed Fan meanwhile, said she hopes that authorities could keep some elements of Choi Hung Estate, as they bring good memories to many people.

'Give Choi Hung residents diverse housing options'

'Give Choi Hung residents diverse housing options'

'Give Choi Hung residents diverse housing options'

'Give Choi Hung residents diverse housing options'

'Give Choi Hung residents diverse housing options'