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2.
f. The resettlement commitment over the period (excluding
the 30,000 units for squatters on land in urban areas not required for development) is put at 500,000
Urban squatters
100,000
New Territories squatters
20,000
Compassionate cases
48,000
Dangerous huts
2,000
Rent Advance Scheme
9,000
(pre-war buildings now dangerous)
Clearance of cottage areas
20,000
Re-use of licenced areas
120,000
Relief of overcrowding in Existing estates
180,000
Pavement dwellers
1,000
500,000
3. According to the 1970 Year Book, the population of Hong Kong increased by 93,100 during 1970 (the estimated population at the end of the year was 4,127,800). With 50 per cent of the population under the age of 21 it seems likely that the rate of increase in the population will, if anything, go up over the next 6 years. In any event the total increase
This means during the period is likely to be 5/600,000. that about half the housing to be provided over the next 6 years will be taken up by the growth in the population.
4. Of the 1,040,000 units of accommodation to be provided over the next 6 years only 150,000 will be made available to squatters. As the Governor has pointed out however not all squatters are poor or badly housed in their huts or anxious to move.
Many are happy as they are and, unless the land they occupy is required for development purposes, forcible clearance would not be justified. Moreover, many squatters, particularly those in the New Territories, may well be better housed in well-built huts than the occupants of "bed space" in the urban areas.
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/5.