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LAND AND HOUSING
Large industrial concerns have built dormitory-type accommoda- tion for their workers and a number of public utility companies and commercial firms have built flats for employees and their families.
Government Housing. The Government helps its junior local staff by reserving for them 15 per cent of all domestic accom- modation in Government low-cost housing estates. Rent and other conditions of tenancy are the same as those for members of the public.
In October Government announced the results of its review of the scheme started in 1952 by which local civil servants on the pensionable establishment have been encouraged to form co- operative building societies through which they could receive loans to buy land and build flats. As a result of this scheme, Govern- ment decided to allow 63 groups comprising 1,105 officers, whose applications for loans had already been received when the review was started in May 1962, to continue with their schemes, if they so desired. Apart from these 63 groups, 204 societies with 4,077 members had so far been formed and given permission to proceed with their schemes of which 158 with accommodation for 3,233 officers and their families had already been completed. The Government also announced that it had decided to begin the plan- ning of a new scheme under which the development of sites and construction of multi-storey blocks of flats would be carried out by Government itself, thus ensuring the most economical and practical use of funds available. Funds for the new scheme will become available in April 1966. Ten per cent of these funds will be reserved for building co-operatives organized on existing lines by groups of senior officers. Government also provides accom- modation for its overseas staff and for many of its local staff, including police and fire service officers, nurses and resident staff on Government installations.
The Hong Kong Housing Authority. The Hong Kong Housing Authority is a statutory body created by Ordinance No 18 of 1954, and consists of all members of the Urban Council, ex officio, and certain other members appointed by the Governor. The ordinance gives the Housing Authority wide powers in relation to housing. Its purpose is to provide as much accommodation as possible for residents of the Colony living in overcrowded and