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HONG KONG: SOCIAL SERVICES
HOUSING
1.
According to the March 1971 census, 37.5 per cent
(1.48 million) of a total population of 3.95 million are
accommodated in housing built directly by the Government or
with funds contributed by the Government; 2.17 million live in
privately owned buildings and 295,000 live in temporary housing
of various kinds.
2.
•
Despite spectacular achievements in the field of housing
and resettlement the Hong Kong Government still face the
formidable problems of satisfactorily rehousing the remaining
squatter population and of refurbishing many of the older
estates.
3. In August 1971 the Hong Kong Government approved the
Housing Board's recommendation that there should be a low-cost
housing and resettlement programme providing up to 700,000
individual units of accommodation during the 6 years 1970-76.
HK$192 million has been provided for housing in this year's
budget. On the Governor's instructions the Housing Authority
are reviewing their plans for the next few years.
UBLIC ASSISTANCE
4.
Revised arrangements for public assistance (allowances in
cash in place of dry rations) were introduced at the beginning
of 1971. The number receiving assistance under the new scheme
/rose
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