Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reaffirmed on Saturday his administration’s commitment to improving grassroots residents’ quality of life through various initiatives, including care teams, community living rooms, and public housing policies. 

He made the remarks during a routine citywide campaign in which high-ranking officials of the special administrative region government visited local families to assess living conditions and distribute Chinese New Year gifts and greetings ahead of the holiday. 

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Lee, accompanied by Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen and district officials, visited two residents in their 80s living alone in Oi Man Estate, Kowloon City. 

Both seniors expressed satisfaction with the support they receive from the care-team social workers, including assistance with housekeeping, bathroom handrail installations, ceiling repairs, and other activities that enhance their convenience and security. 

Community care teams, launched in Lee’s 2022 Policy Address to strengthen the government's district governance and community networks, have covered all 18 districts since the third quarter of 2023. 

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There are currently 452 community care teams, which have visited 340,000 households as of November. Lee thanked the care teams for their kindness and said he looks forward to their continued efforts to serve the people and deliver love and care to the community. 

In a government-released video, Steve Cho Wui-hung, a member of the Oi Chun Subdistrict Care Teams and Kowloon City District Council, highlighted the teams’ practical efforts, particularly in helping elderly residents living alone or with movement difficulties with basic maintenance and safety concerns. 

Lee also visited the Hung Hom community living room, where he joined residents and culinary students in preparing a family dinner. This facility is one of four recently launched shared spaces providing kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms for subdivided-unit tenants, and which also offers community services, including student homework support. 

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Residents told Lee that the community living room had become “their new home”, enhancing both their living conditions and social connections. He also commended “early bird” applicants who have already applied for light public housing — a fast-track initiative providing comfortable living spaces for those who have spent years on public housing waiting lists. 

The chief executive announced plans for at least three additional community living rooms in 2025, including in Shau Kei Wan and Ko Shan Road, which are expected to open midyear. 

He also noted the progress on light public housing, with the first batch of flats in Yuen Long scheduled for completion in the first quarter, and upcoming announcements for second-phase applications for the projects.

“The current government is taking practical actions to help disadvantaged families secure stable housing and make Hong Kong feel more like home,” Lee said. 

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During visits to nearby markets, Lee said, he observed stable commercial conditions and busy preparations for the festival. He encouraged businesses to capitalize on holiday-season opportunities and tourism events while calling on residents to support the local economy. 

The community outreach continued on Sunday as other senior officials, including Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and various department secretaries, made similar visits across districts like Sha Tin, Kwai Fong, Tuen Mun, Yau Tsim Mong, and Southern District.