Lawmaker Bill Tang on Wednesday urged the government to offer more options to residents of Choi Hung Estate who need to be rehoused in the first phase of a massive redevelopment plan.

Authorities say 2,450 flats at the new Mei Tung Estate in Wong Tai Sin will be available to house the first batch of residents affected when construction starts in 2028, and they can also consider buying a Home Ownership Scheme flat.

But Tang, who represents the Kowloon East Constituency, says authorities should also allow affected residents to move into any empty flats available in other parts of Choi Hung Estate that will only be redeveloped in 2035 or later.

"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.

The lawmaker also noted that volunteers will need to be recruited to assist elderly families that will have to relocate.

Tang also expressed concerns that the current timetable for the entire redevelopment project spans two decades from 2028 to 2048, saying buildings will be so old by the end they may be unsafe.

"The residents living in Choi Hung [Estate] must live with a construction site for over 20 years,” he said. “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.

Choi Hung resident Tsang said while the current arrangements aren’t perfect, he’s planning to move 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 maintain some key elements of Choi Hung Estate – famed for its rainbow colour scheme – as they bring good memories to many people.

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Last updated: 2024-10-31 HKT 07:01