Hong Kong’s first non-subsidised quality retirement housing project for the elderly opens for applications on Tuesday, offering 558 apartments for seniors above the age of 60. Prices range from HK$1.8 million to HK$20 million.
Flats in the Tanner Hill Project are for lease only, and they may be leased for as long as the lifetime of the tenant. The prices vary according to the applicant’s age. The older a tenant is, the cheaper the price would be.
Located in North Point, the Tanner Hill Project consists of three towers, with units ranging in size from 342 to 1,231 saleable square feet. The types of flats available are a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and combined units.
Two show flats are now open: the 342-square-feet studio unit, and the 821-square-feet two-bedroom unit with storeroom. The former has an open pantry opposite the entrance, equipped with electrical appliances such as a cooker, microwave and refrigerator. The north-facing living room has a seaview overlooking Lei Yu Mun.
“Designed and built to be the epitome of holistic care and a joyous, active, positive and carefree lifestyle combined, The Tanner Hill is more than just a redefinition of quality living. It also facilitates financial independence for its tenants,” said Wong Kit-loong, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of HKHS.
Home Care Devices are also provided within the project, such as a 24-hour Emergency Call Support System and No-motion sensor. When no movement in the living room has been detected for eight hours, the staff on duty are notified. Other facilities include a Rehabilitation Centre, Day Care Centre and an indoor heated swimming pool. HKHS also formed a partnership with the School of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University to provide health services for the residents.
However, tenants are required to pay half of the total fee upon execution of the lease agreement. The tenant’s spouse and live-in domestic helper are allowed to live in the flat, but they would not have the right to live there after the tenant dies.
“This project functions as a ‘lab’ for the Housing Society,” said Marco Wu Moon-hoi, chairman of HKHS. “Other cities are already one step ahead in this aspect when compared to Hong Kong.” He also said that the project will allow HKHS to study the housing needs of senior and retired citizens in different classes.
HKHS had launched two previous subsidised housing projects for elderly people, but around 700 applicants are already on the waiting list for those, Apple Daily reported.
Applications are open until December 22, with a flat selection taking place by computer balloting on January 5.
