Rare brush-up

A volunteer scrubs a stairwell amid efforts to tackle hygiene problems in old Shamshuipo buildings ahead of Lunar New Year.

District councillors admit they face an uphill struggle in areas where many blocks lack residents' management committees.

Shamshuipo District Council and Caritas Community management have marshalled 26 volunteers.

'Our first step is to solve the hygiene problem, and then we will try to maintain the facilities. Lastly, we will help them establish a management system,'' Caritas Community Work Service Supervisor Wong Chi-kan said.

A resident said hygiene conditions had improved in the area since the government introduced tougher penalties.