2023/24 has been a truly meaningful and fruitful year for the Hong Kong Housing Society (“Housing Society”) as
we embarked on a momentous journey to commemorate our 75th Anniversary milestone. Against the backdrop of the
global focus on climate change and sustainability, the Housing Society is committed to integrating sustainable
practices with the provision of diverse and affordable quality housing solutions, to create a better living
environment for the people of Hong Kong. To share the joy of our Diamond Jubilee with the general public, we
orchestrated a captivating series of activities under the resonating theme of “Creating Homes for Sustainable
Living”. Through these celebratory activities, we have not only sought to engage the community in joyous festivities,
but also to bring together our stakeholders from all walks of life and harness their collective efforts to drive the
development of a green and liveable community.
In alignment with Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 announced by the Government, the Housing Society is dedicated
to supporting Hong Kong’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality. We launched a six-month Community ESG Programme in 2023
as part of the flagship initiative of our 75th Anniversary celebrations. Implemented with a mobile application platform,
the programme encouraged residents in our rental estates and our staff to adopt healthy and sustainable lifestyles with a
gamification approach. This programme had attracted participation from over 13,000 households in our rental estates, and
successfully achieved the reduction of over 899,000 kilograms of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to the amount of
CO2 absorbed by 37,000 trees (seven times the number of trees in Victoria Park) in a year.
Over the past 75 years, the Housing Society has steadfastly upheld its social responsibility, performing the role of
“housing laboratory” of Hong Kong. Through trying out various housing initiatives, we have addressed the housing needs
of the public and created liveable communities for sustainable living of multi-generations. To further this vision, our
cross-divisional Sustainability Working Group (“SWG”), under the leadership of Directors Meeting and with the approval
of the Executive Committee, has formulated a comprehensive sustainability framework during the reporting year. The framework
encompasses three strategic pillars – “Sustainable Homes”, “Low-carbon Transformation”, and “Future-fit Capabilities”.
In response to the ageing population in Hong Kong, we actively advocate and promote age-friendly communities as well as
intergenerational solidarity. Our estate redevelopment project Ming Wah Dai Ha in Shau Kei Wan is the first demonstration
of such a goal by adopting the “integrated redevelopment model” that provides three types of housing on the same site,
including rental estates, subsidised sale flats, and units of the “Senior Citizen Residences Scheme”. Facilities are
designed to cater for the needs of residents of different ages and abilities, promoting inclusion and neighbourly relations.
The first phase of this redevelopment project was presented with multiple international and local accolades, recognising our
dedication in providing quality housing and exemplifying a community-based “intergenerational living” concept. We endeavour
to explore more innovative solutions to promote intergenerational interactions so as to cultivate a better living environment
for all people.
With our unwavering commitment to low-carbon transformation, we have integrated cutting-edge technologies into our property
management operations and housing development. Our efforts to reduce carbon footprints and mitigate climate-related impacts
have been acknowledged by the industry. For property management operations, we are committed to promoting the application of
smart building management and actively implementing energy-saving and renewable energy measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
On the other hand, to improve the site safety, environmental performance and management efficiency of our construction projects,
we have adopted innovative techniques such as Modular Integrated Construction (“MiC”), Building Information Modelling (“BIM”) and
robotic operations. During the reporting year, we have completed the first Subsidised Sale Flats Project built with concrete MiC
in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area and the elderly housing project Chung Yuet Lau using steel MiC. As of 31 March 2024,
a total of 24 development projects of the Housing Society have been awarded certifications by the BEAM Society Limited (“BEAM”) or
the Hong Kong Green Building Council’s BEAM Plus scheme, affirming our outstanding environmental performance in project developments.
As an integral part of fulfilling our social responsibilities, the Housing Society has always placed great emphasis on the physical
and mental wellbeing of our staff and project contractors. We are committed to fostering a healthy and safe working environment across
various fronts of our business operations. We prioritise occupational health and safety by conducting regular inspections and reviewing
work instructions. Since March 2023, the Smart Site Safety System ("4S") for all new construction projects has been deployed to actively
monitor and detect potential safety risks, thereby enhancing overall safety on construction sites. We have also signed the “Mental Health
Workplace Charter” with nine contractors from maintenance, cleaning, security and gardening services. We have also pledged to raise the
awareness of mental wellbeing among contractors and staff.
In regard to the initiatives under “Future-fit Capabilities”, we are committed to creating an inclusive and harmonious workplace. We have
expanded the staff wellness programme “Fun@Work | Pride@HKHS” to promote wellbeing in body, mind and spirit, while helping our staff to
upgrade their job skills through training programmes focusing on job-specific technical knowledge, individual capabilities and management
competencies.
With a legacy spanning over three-quarters of a century, the Housing Society stands resolute in pursuing a sustainability future for Hong
Kong. Looking ahead, we will continue to honour our pledge to serve the community with dedication and strive to build strong connections
with all our stakeholders. We will persist in protecting mother nature and creating a sustainable environment for generations to come,
and work to foster more inclusive and vibrant communities through the implementation of innovative housing solutions, ensuring that Hong
Kong continues to thrive as a liveable and dynamic city.
Walter Chan Kar-lok,SBS, JP Chairman
James Chan Yum-min
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
