Outstanding performers commended at Estate Management Services Contractors Awards 2009 (with photo)
******************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:

     The Housing Authority (HA) hosted a presentation ceremony for its Estate Management Services Contractors Awards 2009 today (January 14). Eighteen prizes were presented to 12 contractors to acknowledge their outstanding performance in managing the HA's properties during the year.

     Officiating at the ceremony, Mr Albert Lee, Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), said, "We started to outsource the management and maintenance of our public housing estates in 1999. Over the years, we have built close relationships with our service contractors. We have also been seeking the involvement of the Estate Management Advisory Committees (EMAC) and encouraging the residents to participate in the management, maintenance and improvement works of their respective estates. This has enabled us to provide better management services and hence improve the living environment of our tenants."

     Currently, the management of more than half of the HA's public rental housing estates is outsourced to property service agents. By making use of the private sector's resources and experience in managing private properties, the HA seeks to raise the level of its estate management services and to provide a safe and pleasant living environment for its tenants. While the HA keeps close track of the routine performance of its contractors, it also reviews its strategy for out-sourcing management services regularly to ensure cost-effectiveness.

     To enhance mutual understanding and collaboration among the management services contractors, EMAC members, public housing residents and frontline Housing Department staff, the HA organised five partnering workshops last year for the newly awarded property service agents, helping them to build partnerships with all the stakeholders.

     The Estate Management Services Contractors Awards is organised annually to encourage outstanding service delivery. The 2009 awards gave due recognition to service contractors with excellent performance in property services, cleaning services, security services and car park management services. A special award for safety management was also presented to encourage safe estate management.

     The 12 award winners were Creative Property Services Consultants Ltd, Hong Kong Housing Society, Easy Living Property Management Ltd, Top One Ltd, Yee Tai Cleaning Company, Ying Wah Cleaning Service Ltd, Yee Hop Cleaning Company, Guard City Ltd, Fidelity Property Management Ltd, Hong Kong Guards Ltd, ISS EastPoint Properties Ltd and Wilson Parking (HK) Ltd. The estates managed by the winners of "Best Public Rental Housing Estate (Property Services)" include Shek Lei (II) Estate, Siu Sai Wan Estate, Po Tin Estate, Pak Tin (Phases 4 & 5), Tai Hang Tung Estate and Ma Tau Wai Estate. (Please see attached table for details.)

Ends/Thursday, January 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:55

NNNN