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In 1960, it was estimated that there were 7,800 squatter boats in Hong Kong occupied by about 48,000 people. Since then, over 80,000 boat dwellers have been rehoused but despite this in 1978 there were still about 2,400 squatter boats occupied by 25,000 people. The difficulty has been
soon as boat dwellers are resettled on land, they are replaced by others, either immigrants from China who are accustomed to living on water, or land dwellers who resort to boats as a cheaper form of accommodation. There are also a certain number who have opted to continue living on boats whilst being employed on land.
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Given that the demand for public housing exceeds the supply, the system of waiting lists ensures that all claims for public housing are treated equally and fairly and that there is a minimum of queue jumping. Priority is, however, given to persons who are rendered homeless as a result of fire, natural disaster or other causes.
Boat dwellers are eligible to apply for public housing in the normal way, and to enter the waiting lists. No special priority can be given to them over and above the equally valid claims of those applicants living on land. However as some boats become uninhabitable as a result of deterioration due to age, arrangements exist by which they are inspected by Government to ascertain their seaworthiness. If as a result a boat is classified as being in danger of foundering, its occupants are immediately offered temporary accommodation pending screening for public housing. Since this system was introduced in November 1977, 922 persons from 111 boats have been rehoused in this way.
Recent events must be seen against this background of our rapidly expanding population (over 3% in 1978), shortage of accommodation (despite the most strenuous efforts), and the need to ensure that the criteria for Dublic housing are applied impartially to all. The position has repeatedly been explained to the boat dwellers and other interested groups both orally and in writing.
Turning to recent events, there has been a series of demonstrations and petitions over the last 18 months aimed at pressing the claims of the boat people to be rehoused in advance of other needy cases. There are well established procedures for presenting petitions and for the holding of demonstrations, and for convenience these are summarised below.
/Cont'd.