How do residents of Nam Cheong 220 feel after living here around a year?
“It is comfortable and joyful. When I see my daughter is happy here, I feel happy.” Kuen said.
“Previously, the rent of subdivided units was expensive. I was worried about not only an increase in utility bills, but also an arbitrary rent increase. (I feel) very unfair. Living here, its rent is much fairer.” Mr. Ng said.
“My neighbors feel comfortable after moving here. Because it is more secure. When they are in need, social workers help; so do neighbors.” Yan said.
With a funding support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and a land leased by Henderson Land Development Company Limited, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) launched Jockey Club Incubating Community Participation through Modular Social Housing Pilot Programme at the Nam Cheong Street site.
The objective is to incubate efficacy-based participation for the community. It is expected that new residents can develop their ability and contribute to the community, on top of obtaining supports from the service operator. Ms Vivien Yau, the Project Officer (Social Housing), Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGH), said that the living conditions of residents are improved a lot. She notice that their mental health is much better than the past. While residents just moved out of subdivided units into Nam Cheong 220, she saw they still pulled a long face. After they move in, their living environment gets improved; and rental pressure sharply drops; she sees they carry more smiles on their face. On top of this, after they know more neighbors, the better their neighborhood relationship is, the happier they are.