Hong Kong school to be reborn as transitional homes for low-income families in a first for the city
- Lok Sin Tong Primary School in Kowloon City will be converted into 50 flats for three- to four-person households after it closes in August
- The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, which is overseeing the project, hopes other disused schools will provide similar homes
A 70-year-old school in Kowloon City will get a new lease on life as transitional homes for poor families – the first of its kind in the city, according to plans by a charity group.
The scheme under the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society aims to provide 50 flats for households with three to four family members at Lok Sin Tong Primary School in Kowloon City.
The flats will range from 180 sq ft to 240 sq ft depending on family size. The classrooms will be divided into two units and each family will have an independent kitchen and toilet.
“There are many vacant school premises in Hong Kong,” said Jackeline Yang Xiao-ling, chairwoman of the society.
“We hope to lead the way so more vacant schools can be turned into social housing to help the needy and ensure land is not wasted.”
Project consultant and registered architect Yuen Kwok-cheung said the society hoped to preserve the structure of the school.