More than 1,000 public rental housing blocks in 160 estates are structurally safe, Deputy Director of Housing Tam Wing-pong says.

Mr Tam said today the conditions of all buildings are monitored continuously to ensure that they are structurally safe. The department has been running the HomeCARE Maintenance Programme to provide a comprehensive timely maintenance service for all public housing blocks.

Regarding the building structure of ageing public housing blocks, Mr Tam said a detailed survey on the structural condition will be carried out on blocks more than 40 years of age to ascertain whether it will be economically viable to keep the blocks and continue with the department's building-maintenance programme.

Detailed surveys are being carried out at So Uk Estate, completed in 1960, and Sai Wan Estate, completed in 1959.