Press Release

Housing Society Honoured in IESGB’s ESG Achievement Awards 2020

In recognition of its achievements in promoting ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance), Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) has been awarded Diamond under "Special ESG Awards – The Outstanding NGO", the highest accolade of the category; as well as Platinum under "Special Awards (Criteria set by Fund Managers) – Outstanding ESG Company" at the ESG Achievement Awards 2020 organised by The Institute of ESG & Benchmark (IESGB).

HKHS Chief Executive Officer James Chan said, "We are greatly encouraged by the awards, and it is a pleasure to see the Housing Society being recognised for its efforts in corporate governance, environmental protection and social responsibility. While the Housing Society keeps on its endeavour in housing development as a "housing laboratory", we spare no efforts in supporting and promoting sustainability in construction, property management and corporate operations.  The Housing Society will continue to develop with an innovative mind, creating more quality homes and better living environment for the Hong Kong community."

HKHS is the first housing development organisation in Hong Kong awarded the ISO 14001 certificate, in recognition of its environmental management system achieving a standard of excellence.  Apart from using prefabricated components in construction projects, HKHS has adopted Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) in some recent projects, including the elderly block at Jat Min Chuen in Sha Tin and the Subsidised Sale Flats at the Dedicated Rehousing Estate in Hung Shui Kiu, which effectively reduce the need of onsite works and the wastes generated.  HKHS has also been adopting energy efficient facilities at its rental estates and managed properties, as well as initiating waste reduction measures at its workplaces, actively promoting environmental protection.

Adhering to its mission to provide quality housing and services in response to the needs of Hong Kong people, HKHS strives to build caring communities.  Through its "T-Home" Scheme, HKHS provides transitional housing for the low-income group, improving their living conditions.  HKHS has also rolled out the Ageing-in-Place Scheme at its rental estates to provide one-stop supporting services for its elderly tenants, so as to help them to age in place.  In addition, HKHS is dedicated to nurturing the younger generations by providing scholarships, internships, and opportunities to participate in community services.  The "Hong Kong Housing Society Academy Alumni Club" has been set up to facilitate youth development.

Good corporate governance is pivotal to an organisation's sustainable development. HKHS's two-tier governance structure comprises a Supervisory Board and an Executive Committee.  While the Supervisory Board sets HKHS's mission, vision, core values and guiding principles; the Executive Committee devises strategies and policies for achieving the mission and objectives.  The execution of strategies for daily operations is responsible by the Management.  Such well-placed structure with clearly-defined roles facilitates the achievement of excellence in corporate governance.

Incepted in 2020, the ESG Achievement Awards aims to recognise the ESG achievements of local organisations and gather pioneering ESG practitioners, so as to set a cross-industrial benchmark of sustainable development standards in Hong Kong and elevate ESG awareness in the society.