Support of Community Integration Activities at Condominiums

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether there are plans to increase efforts or support for community integration activities at condominiums given the rising trend of rental units and permanent residents residing in these compounds.

Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth): The People’s Association (PA) promotes social cohesion amongst residents from all races, age groups and socio-economic backgrounds, including both public and private estates.

To enable private estate residents to be involved in community activities, PA has helped to facilitate private estate residents to form more Neighbourhood Committees (NCs). There are currently 183 NCs, up from 112 in 2011. We will continue to expand the number of NCs as necessary to deepen their engagement with the wider grassroots network.

Besides organising activities and forming interest groups to bring residents together, the NCs also facilitate residents’ involvement in their own communities via the OneConnect Programme. Through this programme, residents can offer suggestions for estate improvement and formulate community solutions to tackle common issues, e.g. to eliminate dengue breeding spots. The NCs also partner various grassroots and community organisations to reach out to the residents, including the less privileged, through various meaningful initiatives.

PA also offers many community programmes and courses at the Community Clubs/Centres (CCs) to meet the different interests and needs of residents, including those living in condominiums. All residents are welcome to participate in these activities where they can get to know their neighbours and community better.