Press Release

HKHS International Housing Conference 2018
“Building a Smart and Liveable City for an Ageing Community”

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) today (2 November) holds an international housing conference (“the Conference”) with the theme of “Building a Smart and Liveable City for an Ageing Community” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, to examine the challenges and opportunities arising from the ageing populations around the globe.  As one of the 70^th Anniversary activities of HKHS, the Conference was attended by nearly 300 professionals from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas to exchange valuable insights and experience on the subjects of elderly housing, sustainable development and liveable cities.

The Hon Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, and Walter Chan, HKHS Chairman, officiated at the Conference, which comprises two major parts including keynote speeches and panel discussion.  Participants of the Conference included guests and practitioners from various professions, such as housing development, architecture, urban planning, social work, elderly services and innovation & technology etc.

In his address, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said, “ ‘Building a Smart and Liveable City for an Ageing Community’, reflects both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It also echoes the Government’s vision for a modern and liveable environment for all. As a pioneer in the face of challenges posed by an ageing population, the Housing Society has spared no effort in promoting age-friendly home concepts and providing ageing-in-place support for the elderly. I congratulate the Hong Kong Housing Society on its 70^th Anniversary.”

HKHS Chairman Walter Chan said that the Housing Society has been acting as a housing laboratory for 70 years since its establishment in 1948.  The organisation keeps progressing with the times to explore new solutions, so as to help address the housing needs of the people and serve as a reference for the industry.  Such a spirit of innovation is the cornerstone for its business development.

Walter Chan added, “The Housing Society has attached great importance to the sustainable development of the city, and that drives us to undertake housing projects and related initiatives, such as integrating environmental consideration in the housing development and property management operations, that contributes to the protection of our environment and building a caring community.  In the face of the rapidly ageing population in Hong Kong, the Housing Society has embarked on different housing projects to provide cosy nests with age-friendly designs for the elderly, from the rental units benefitting the lower-income group, the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme developed for the middle-income elderly, to The Tanner Hill which serves as a demonstration of project tailored for the financially more capable elderly”.

Around the theme of “Create Homes • Revive Communities”, a series of 70^th Anniversary events have been rolled out by HKHS since the beginning of the year, including the territory-wide Roving Exhibition, “Art in Estates” mural painting programme, Estate Photo Exhibition and shopping promotion campaign etc.  After the Conference, a brand new HKHS Exhibition Centre will be up and running in December this year to enhance the public understanding of HKHS as well as the housing development in Hong Kong.