Forty-year-old So Uk Estate in Sham Shui Po will be cleared in two phases in 2008 and 2011, affecting 13,400 residents from about 5,000 households, the Housing Authority says.

Although a structural investigation in January found all 16 blocks in the estate to be safe, extensive repair works would be needed to sustain the buildings for the next 15 years, causing nuisance and disturbance to tenants. A financial viability assessment also found that the works, estimated at about $245 million, would not be cost effective.

Under the phased clearance programme endorsed by the authority's Strategic Planning Committee today, 10 blocks on uphill terrain north of the estate road will be cleared in November 2008, and the remaining six blocks in late 2011.

Rehousing

On rehousing arrangements, vacant flats have already been frozen from reletting. Some of the families have also been transferred to newly completed neighbouring estates.

New public rental housing flats are coming on stream, with about 3,500 flats in Un Chau Estate Phase 2 and 4 scheduled for completion in February 2008 and about 1,600 flats in the Cheung Sha Wan Flatted Factory redevelopment tentatively scheduled for completion in 2011. Together with the authority's stock of available vacant flats for allocation each year, the affected tenants will be rehoused in good time.

Completed between 1960 and 1963, So Uk Estate comprises 5,316 flats in 16 linear or trident type blocks of eight to 18 storeys. Use of the site after clearance will be studied.

Sai Wan Estate

The committee also noted that 40-year-old Sai Wan Estate in Kennedy Town will be sustained for the next 15 years following the completion of a comprehensive structural investigation.

All buildings are safe but repair works will be carried out. The $4.4 million cost will be absorbed in the routine maintenance programme.

The estate was completed between 1958 and 1959, with 640 flats in five linear blocks of 10 to 14 storeys.