The Hong Kong Housing Authority has approved two "simplified public housing" project operation and management service contracts.

On March 26, the Hong Kong Housing Authority awarded the ninth and tenth "Simplicity Public Housing" project operation and management services contracts to Livelihood Consultancy Services Limited, Caritas Hong Kong Limited, and New Power Social Service Limited in a joint venture, with winning bids of approximately HK$173.6 million and HK$179.1 million respectively. The ninth and tenth contracts cover the Tin Shui Wai Yan Po Road Simplicity Public Housing (Phase 1) and (Phase 2) projects, with a total of approximately 5600 units (providing around 2800 units each), expected to be completed and occupied in the third quarter of this year. Alice Mak, Director of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, stated that the first "Simplicity Public Housing" project began occupancy in March last year, and within just one year, seven projects totaling approximately 9650 units have been completed and fully occupied, significantly improving the living environment and quality of life for nearly 20,000 people. According to the current progress of the projects, it is expected that approximately 20,400 units of "Simplicity Public Housing" will be completed by 2026 and early 2027, gradually working towards the goal of completing the construction of approximately 30,000 units by the 2027-28 financial year. With the appointment of the operation agency for the Tin Shui Wai Yan Po Road (Phase 1 and Phase 2) projects today by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, it signifies that this social project will benefit another nearly 15,000 people, allowing around 5600 families in need to live better lives. She continued to say that the two contracts awarded today are jointly undertaken by Livelihood Consultancy Services Limited, Caritas Hong Kong Limited, and New Power Social Service Limited, believing that with the synergy of the three agencies, overall operational management can achieve resource sharing and interoperability, thereby improving the cost-effectiveness of their work. This is also the first time that the Hong Kong Housing Authority has awarded operation and management services contracts to a joint venture formed by three organizations. Livelihood Consultancy Services Limited and Caritas Hong Kong Limited have previously operated the Tin Shui Wai Tsing Fuk Road project for the Hong Kong Housing Authority, while New Power Social Service Limited, participating in the operation of "Simplicity Public Housing" for the first time, is rooted in the Tin Shui Wai area and has been serving residents in the area for many years. Therefore, she hopes that they can showcase their strengths in different areas, through high-quality property management and precise social services, to create a happy and inclusive community for the residents of Tin Shui Wai Yan Po Road Simplicity Public Housing as well as the surrounding areas. She also calls on other organizations interested in operating "Simplicity Public Housing" to actively participate in the last open tender project located at Hang Fung Street in Ma On Shan, to work together with the government to improve the living environment of the grassroots and help more citizens in need to move towards happiness. In addition to providing housing, the "Simplicity Public Housing" project will also provide different services and facilities for residents and the surrounding areas. Therefore, the requirements for operation and management services differ from general property management contracts, encompassing not only resident affairs management, property management, and daily maintenance and repair, but also a range of social services such as assisting residents in integrating into the community, supporting employment and education, supporting the elderly and persons with disabilities, providing children's services, after-school care, social work support, as well as managing retail and dining facilities, revision/activity rooms, and other ancillary facilities. To ensure service quality, the Hong Kong Housing Authority, in the evaluation process, will conduct technical evaluations based on the bidding organizations' management capability, relevant experience, proposed operation and management models as outlined in the proposal, social services provided, relocation plans, innovation, and application of information technology, among other factors, before conducting an integrated evaluation on the bidding prices to select the most suitable operation agency. The "Simplicity Public Housing" project has received enthusiastic responses so far, with approximately 32,300 applications received as of March 25 this year, reflecting a strong demand for the project among citizens facing housing difficulties, as it offers better living environment, suitable facilities, targeted services, and affordable rents.