Sino Group and Pumen Foundation Develop ‘Wellness Lodge’ Transitional Homes to Alleviate Short-term Housing Needs of Underprivileged Families
Community
Apr 2022
Hong Kong
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Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation to Offer Scholarships in Support of Children’s Talent Development
Sino Group (the ‘Group’) announced that it is leasing a parcel of seaside land in Tsing Lung Tau, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, at nominal rent for the development of the transitional housing project, ‘Wellness Lodge’, in collaboration with charitable organisation Pumen Foundation Limited (‘Pumen Foundation’). Aligning with the Group’s vision of ‘Creating Better Lifescapes’, the project promotes green features and wellness in its design and planning while fulfilling the needs of the underprivileged, to facilitate a healthy living experience to beneficiary families and children.
Located at a seaside lot in Tsing Lung Tau, Castle Peak Road, the site area is approximately 19,000 sq. ft. and the project will enjoy panoramic views of the stunning landscape of Kap Shui Mun Bridge, promoting a healthy lifestyle. ‘Wellness Lodge’ is expected to be completed with related services in operation in Q4 of 2023, ready for eligible families to move in. The operation period will be about five years.
Amenities to Promote Physical and Mental Health ‘Wellness Lodge’ features a number of amenities that promote physical and mental health. These include the first multi-functional activity room incorporating STEAM elements, a farming area referencing the Group’s integrated green community project ‘Farm Together’, free Wi-Fi network, as well as vocational support for residents, such as job matching and training, among others. Based on children’s needs, the Group will also work with Pumen Foundation to offer a variety of courses including STEAM-related and coding courses to facilitate talent development, while volunteers of Sino Caring Friends will visit and play with the kids to share moments of caring companionship.
To understand the needs of underprivileged families, the Group and its philanthropic arm, Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (‘NTFCF’), will continue to work with Pumen Foundation when ‘Wellness Lodge’ begins operation and provide HK$5,000 per academic year to each child of the residents via the Ng Teng Fong Scholarship, to encourage talent development beyond academic studies. In addition, NTFCF will offer financial support for Pumen Foundation to organise interest classes and courses for the families and their children.
Mr Daryl Ng, Deputy Chairman of Sino Group and Director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation remarks, ‘Today is Children’s Day and we would like to wish all Hong Kong children happiness and health. A good living environment is conducive to the wellbeing and growth of children. By providing a happy and healthy home at Wellness Lodge, we hope that underprivileged children and their families can enjoy a safe, healthy and green lifestyle during their stay here. With amenities like the multi-functional activity room incorporating STEAM elements and the green farming area, Wellness Lodge will be a place bringing hope to the children and helps unleashing their potential and creativity. We would like to thank our partner, Pumen Foundation, for their wonderful support in making the meaningful project a reality.’
Mr Lee Yuet-man, MH, Chairman of Pumen Foundationsaid, ‘Some underprivileged families in Hong Kong can only afford to live in subdivided flats, yet the living environment there has a great impact on the development of children. By developing this transitional housing project with Sino Group, we hope to provide a well-equipped temporary residence with a beautiful environment to improve their living conditions and encourage upward social mobility. We would like to thank Sino Group for their professional technical support on project preliminary work to facilitate approval procedures and project commencement, which will enable us to start providing services to families in need as soon as we can.’
Catering to the Needs of Elderly and Physically Challenged Persons ‘Wellness Lodge’ will be built using modular integrated construction (MIC). The building will be three-storeys high and is expected to provide 85 units for underprivileged families at nominal rents. Measuring between 146 to 197 sq. ft., each unit can accommodate families of one to three, while families in need can be accommodated in adjacent units. Each unit will comprise an open kitchen, a private bathroom, and a living and dining room. The needs of elderly residents and the physically challenged will also be taken into consideration. The project is conveniently located on Castle Peak Road with multiple bus and minibus lines that allow for direct travel to and from various locations in the city. Residents can obtain daily necessities within a 10-minute walk.
The Assessment Committee for the ‘Funding Scheme to Support Transitional Housing Projects by Non-government Organisations’ under the Transport and Housing Bureau agreed to subsidise the project in late February. Pumen Foundation will be in charge of the building work, selection of residents, daily operations, etc., via a committee composed of representatives from different sectors.
