Supplementary to LegCo Question No. 7
in Legislative Council on 29 May 1985
Mr. Chan Ying-lun:-
Sir, can the Secretary of Housing state how serious is the
problem of overcrowding in public housing estates, and to what
extent is the present arrangement for transfers to larger flats
alleviating this problem?
Secretary for Housing:
Sir, the situation has been improving over the years. When the
Housing Authority came into existence in 1973, there were 77,000
families, occupying spaces of less than 2.23 sq metres per
person; and no less than a 109,000 families occupying spaces
between 2.23 sq m to 23.24 sq m. Over the years as a result
of the measures we've taken to deal with the problem, the number
of families occupying 2.23 sq m has dropped by 85 per cent i.e.
to 11,000 families, and those living in spaces between 2.23 sq m
to 23.24 sq m has dropped by some 43 per cent i.e. still 62,000
families and that is obviously an unsatisfactory situation.
If we were to continue with our present policies, we would
take some 15 years to deal with the problem as a whole, on the
basis of the allocation that we make at the moment for relief
of overcrowding. But the situation is improving because we're
encouraging more people to buy Home Ownership and to apply
through the waiting list. And indeed since Home Ownership
came into being, some 23,000 families have moved into Home
This is helping considerably the overcrowding
Ownership.
situation.
increase.
We expect this trend to continue and hopefully