Three rundown buildings in Sham Shui Po and Tai Kok Tsui will be the first to be redeveloped under a pilot scheme in which homeowners invite the Urban Renewal Authority to rejuvenate their blocks. The HK$1.5 billion project - fully funded by the Development Bureau - will cover 290 flats, including subdivided units and street-front stores.
The three sites were among 25 applications submitted to the URA last year to request redevelopment under a so-called demand-led programme, which requires most of the owners to give their consent.
The Tai Kok Tsui site is bordered by 13-31 Pine Street and 87 Oak Street, while the Sham Shui Po sites are at 205-211 and 229 Hai Tan Street.
One owner in Hai Tan Street says he looks forward to having the building upgraded.
Kwan Chiu-hong, 79, bought his 590 sq ft flat more than 40 years ago. 'Walking up the stairs is proving too difficult at my age.
'It would be nice to live in a place with a lift,' Kwan, who lives on the fourth floor with his wife, said yesterday.