Three schemes and support programmes that help private building owners maintain and manage their properties are making good progress with active participation from owners and owners' corporations.

Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen told legislators today that since the launch of the Building Safety Loan Scheme in July 2001, the Buildings Department has approved 10,000 applications, involving $300 million in loans.

More than 100 buildings have participated in the Urban Renewal Authority's building rehabilitation since the programme launched in April last year, with approved loans and subsidies amounting to $23 million.

To help flat owners ineligible to apply for the Urban Renewal Authority's building rehabilitation scheme, the Housing Society launched the Building Management & Maintenance Scheme in February. The society has since received 1,600 enquiries and 120 applications, of which more than 40 have completed the approval process. Its staff have also conducted seminars helping residents on management and maintenance matters.

To make full use of resources, the three organisations have put in place a notification mechanism to prevent an applicant from being provided with multiple loans.