Press Release

HKHS’s Aberdeen Decanting Block “Yue Ying Lau” Commences Intake Rehousing Residents in the Same District to Sustain Community Bonds 

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) has achieved another significant milestone in estate redevelopment.  The new decanting block, “Yue Ying Lau” on Shek Pai Wan Road, which is built to facilitate the Phase 1 redevelopment of Yue Kwong Chuen in Aberdeen, has been completed.  Affected Yue Kwong Chuen residents have started moving in this month.  HKHS Director (Property Management) Sanford Poon welcomed the first household of “Yue Ying Lau”, Mrs Cheng and her family, and toured their new flat and the building’s recreational facilities together.

Sanford Poon said, “I am pleased to witness the residents moving into ‘Yue Ying Lau’, that provides brand new quality homes and facilities for the rehoused residents of Yue Kwong Chuen.  We have introduced smart estate management initiatives in ‘Yue Ying Lau’, such as robotic patrol dogs, smart vacuum cleaners and more, enhancing management efficiency as well as our residents’ quality of life and sense of well-being.  I wish Mrs Cheng and her family, as well as other new residents, a joyous life in their cozy new homes.”

 “The Housing Society’s estate redevelopment plans are progressing in an orderly manner, and we prioritise adequate rehousing arrangements for residents in the project planning.  The resident intake of ‘Yue Ying Lau’ exemplifies the Housing Society’s people-centric approach, addressing the residents’ aspirations to be rehoused in the same district where they originally resided, and carrying on their strong community bonds and connection built over a lifetime.  A dedicated social service team has been appointed to provide comprehensive support for the residents and help them resettle smoothly.  We will also continue to engage the Yue Kwong Chuen residents and local stakeholders through different channels,” Sanford Poon added.

Mrs Cheng, the first household of “Yue Ying Lau” who has lived in Yue Kwong Chuen for more than three decades after resettling from her junk houseboat said, “We are delighted to be rehoused in the same district at ‘Yue Ying Lau’ where we could enjoy a comfortable environment with brand-new facilities.  The podium garden is a wonderful play space for my grandchildren and for us to connect with long-time neighbours, reinforcing our sense of belonging.  In addition, the Housing Society offers removal allowances and rent concessions for the first four years, giving us a lift financially.”

Lately, HKHS has actively pursued smart estate management to achieve sustainability and various initiatives have been introduced at “Yue Ying Lau”, including rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, robotic patrol dogs and smart vacuum cleaners in public areas, and drones for assessing the condition of the buildings and nearby slopes to enhance property maintenance efficiency and building safety.

Located on Shek Pai Wan Road, the 27-storey “Yue Ying Lau” offers 600 rental units with various layouts that cater to households with one to two persons, three to four persons, and the largest units are suitable for up to five to seven-person households.  “Yue Ying Lau” features a podium garden, children’s recreational area, fitness facilities for the elderly, parking and more.  Residents affected by Phase 1 of the Yue Kwong Chuen redevelopment are given priority to be rehoused at “Yue Ying Lau”, along with one-off removal allowances and rent concessions for the first four years.  The remaining units of “Yue Ying Lau” will be available for application by HKHS tenants affected by other estate redevelopment projects, including Kwun Tong Garden Estate and Chun Seen Mei Chuen.

Upon completion, the whole Yue Kwong Chuen redevelopment will provide more than 2,900 units, representing 2.5 times of the number of units before redevelopment.  The Phase 1 redevelopment covers Shun Fung Lau, Pak Sha Lau and Hoy Kong Lau, and is expected to be completed by 2034. 

In taking forward its estate redevelopment projects, HKHS also records the unique historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the soon-to-be redeveloped rental estates, as well as the neighbourhood stories through the Cultural Heritage Preservation Programme, which also includes various activities aiming to connect residents to sustain the community relations.  Yue Kwong Chuen was originally developed to help the fishing community along the Aberdeen coast resettle ashore.   To celebrate this special story, HKHS, together with Yue Kwong Chuen residents and the renowned local bamboo artist Cindy Tai, co-created five bamboo-woven artworks, named “Tides of Light, Threads of Home”, with traditional Chinese craftsmanship, symbolising the five Yue Kwong Chuen residential blocks, Hoy Au Lau, Ching Hoy Lau, Hoy Kong Lau, Pak Sha Lau and Shun Fung Lau which were originally named to pay tribute to the fishing port and maritime heritage.  The artworks, filled with the residents’ fond memories in the estate, will be permanently displayed in the lobby of “Yue Ying Lau”, passing on the legacy and shared memories of the community in the new building with added artistic ambience. 

A highlight video featuring the intake of the first household at “Yue Ying Lau” and the making of the “Tides of Light, Threads of Home”, is available here for viewing and downloading.