The United Court Transitional Housing project, which will soon be developed and run by the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, held a groundbreaking ceremony today (16 June). The ceremony was officiated by Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam; the Most Revd Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, gave his blessings for the project’s commencement.
Dr Donald Li, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Board of Directors, thanked Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) for leasing land for the development for a minimum of eight years at a nominal HK$1, adding that low-income families can move to the development when the project is completed mid-2022. “Making this groundbreaking ceremony happen in such a short time was only possible,” he said, “with the support of the Transport and Housing Bureau and other government departments; Sun Hung Kai Properties; the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk; the Shap Pat Heung Rural Committee; the Yuen Long District Council; CLP Power Hong Kong Limited; The Parcville, among other organisations and individuals.” Li went on to thank SHKP’s enthusiastic support for the project: in addition to assisting the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council with the project’s initial planning and site formation, SHKP will also render assistance during the construction stage.
Mr Raymond Kwok, SHKP Chairman & Managing Director, said “SHKP has been developing landmark properties in Yuen Long for more than four decades and have a deep connection with the Yuen Long community. It gives us great pleasure to lease this quality plot of land to help address the short-term housing needs of low-income families. United Court will provide 1,800 flats, benefiting 5,000 families or 10,000 people.”
Mr Kwok also said, “Yet aside from building transitional housing, we also need to meet society’s long-term housing needs, and it is vital for both the public and private sectors to give full play to their respective strengths to increase land and housing supply.”
Guests who officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony alongside the Chief Executive included the Most Revd Andrew Chan, Dr Donald Li, Mr Raymond Kwok, Secretary for Transport and Housing Mr Frank Chan, Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties-Kwoks’ Foundation Mr Thomas Kwok, Sun Hung Kai Properties Executive Director Mr Adam Kwok, New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Chairman Mr Kenneth Lau, and Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Director Dr Jane Lee.
Other guests included legislative council members Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Michael Tien and Mr Vincent Cheng; heads of various government departments, including Under Secretary for Transport and Housing Dr Raymond So, Commissioner of Police Mr Chris Tang, Director of Fire Services Mr Joseph Leung, Director of Drainage Services Ms Alice Pang, Deputy Director-General of the Social Work Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R. Mr Zhou He; and other members of the community, including about a dozen people who wish to move in to United Court.
Funding from the Transport and Housing Bureau
The Transport and Housing Bureau donated some HK$10 billion to the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council to develop the United Court Transitional Housing project, which will be overseen by the bureau. With a buildable floor area of around 420,000 sq. ft., the Kau Hui Road development is adjacent to Sha Pui Tsuen in Yuen Long. United Court will be built using modular integrated construction technology and will comprise eight residential zones, four-storey buildings and 1,800 units for one-, two-, three-, and four to five-person barrier-free units that range from 147 to 340 sq. ft. The project is expected to benefit some 5,000 underprivileged families in total.
Integrated Services for a Harmonious Community
United Court will have communal kitchens, children’s play areas, recreational areas and various themed activity zones to foster interactions among residents and create a harmonious living environment. United Court will also come with a community centre that offers integrated services, such as childcare, parental education, nursing consultation and counselling. The centre will also create opportunities for residents to engage in social activities, as well as employment opportunities. The aerial view model of the development, as well as the models of its architecture and the layout of its units were revealed at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Design Thinking that Addresses Accommodation Needs
With the needs of future residents and their sense of belonging in mind, United Court’s units will feature design thinking and person-centred elements. The project team had organised an experiential event that invited over a hundred of qualified users to test a live-sized model unit and share their opinions. Their suggestions, which included the direction of doors, space required for shoe cabinets, washing machine setups and the inclusion of Wi-Fi routers, have been incorporated in the design of United Court units.
Well-Being Index to Help Improve Residents’ Confidence
United Court prioritises the wellbeing of residents and will be the first transitional housing initiative to introduce Well-Being Index. Based on its residents’ needs for technological applications, health awareness, emotional management, spiritual fulfilment, social participation, environmental protection, financial management and occupational counselling, United Court will provide residents with relevant support to encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and develop good self-esteem.
Learn more about the project in this video:
