Nam Cheong 220 The first transitional modular social housing

Описание: Lots of the grassroots who queued for public rental housing living in indecent subdivided flats (cubicle rooms), with high rental expense. They were in poverty and being socially isolated and lack access to community resources, as a result they easily fall into the vicious cycle of poverty. In recent years, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service actively advocates and develops transitional social housing for those grassroots in need.

Apart from renovating units in old buildings, we also attempt to utilise idle land from government and private developers building more transitional social housing. To improve grassroots' quality of life, Nam Cheong Street project is the first project which adopted Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) to build transitional social housing. The challenge for adoption of MiC is very high, yet, with many advantages including speedy construction time, reusable modules after relocation to other idle lands. Hereby MiC can save money and it’s more environmentally friendly.

Nam Cheong 220, Funded by Community Care Fund for purchasing and building modular housing and Henderson Land Development Company Limited for leasing the land. The project is a 4-storey high building, providing 89 numbers of 1 to 3-persons household units, units range in size from 130 to 293 square feet, for those families or singletons who are in need of the transitional housing solving their living problem and improving their quality of life. Every unit has an independent bathroom, equipped with exhaust fan and electric water heater. Also, each unit is installed with air-conditioner and there is a pantry with electric cooking. Its provision is similar to public rental housing.

The appearance of the (modular housing) is a box. Structure is mainly made of steel and concrete slabs. The main reason for using steel is steel structure is lighter than solely used concrete slabs which reducing the loading of the foundation and saving the construction time. Many people wonder if this module is “Container House” or just container. Apparently, this is not container. It just looks like that the modules can be dismantled and reinstalled in another location to rebuild the whole modular housing. It even allows mild changes. The Modular Housing is constructed with waterproof and fireproof materials. The connection between modules is reinforced for safety purpose. Adequate sound and heat insulation between units and external wall is provided A metal roof installed on top of the top floor created an air circulation space which can provide a better heat insulation for the units on the top floor. When the rain falls, it can also serve as the first protection line to shelter from rain. All structural related was fulfilled according to Buildings Department and Statutory requirements construction standard and could be used for 50 years. These (Building Services) facilities, we specially installed outside the building. So, the building can provide more units. For Maintenance, we strive to minimise the interruption to residents. Therefore, the drainage pipes and water supply pipes are wall-mounted outside. It’s easier for construction and repair. Influence on residents is the least too. We wish households in here happy and comfortable when go back home.

We specially thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Fund for sponsorship to implement the Jockey Club Incubating Community Participation through Modular Social Housing Pilot Programme. We are grateful to appoint Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to be the Service Operator to provide support to the households and applying “Shared Economy” as the service concept enable the households to share their belongings, skills and time, support the households to enhance living skills, understand community resources, establish networks and contribute to the community together!