132
LAND AND HOUSING
danger of collapse or had deteriorated to such an extent as to create a grave risk to the safety of the occupants. The social problems involved in caring for, compensating and rehousing the 20,483 people involved are dealt with in the section of this chapter headed 'Squatter Control and Clearance'.
There was much damage to private property as a result of the 12th June rainstorm but fortunately, with only a few exceptions, repairs were quickly effected and premises once again made habita- ble. On Monday, 13th June, those officers of the Buildings Ordinance Office not immobilized by severed communications reported for duty. Every available man was mobilized to assist the dangerous buildings division in the task of inspection and reporting on damage to property as soon as information was received and as and when access could be obtained. From the 13th onwards the staff of the Buildings Ordinance Office were under extreme pressure and, as a result of the numerous inspections made, no less than 51 emergency closure orders had to be obtained. Of these, many were eventually withdrawn when remedial works were completed. Several buildings were damaged to such an extent that major reinstatement work was required before they could be reoccupied, while in other cases the damage was so severe that the buildings had to be demolished.
There was no major change in building law during the year but by virtue of the Buildings (Amendment) Ordinance No 16 of 1966, which came into effect on 1st September, some minor amendments were introduced. The effect of these amendments was mainly permissive but one important item was the provision for ensuring a permanent supply of water to buildings for both drinking and flushing purposes.
RESETTLEMENT
Hong Kong's resettlement estates have attracted worldwide atten- tion. Hundreds of thousands of people are being provided with housing by a low-cost housing programme which, for speed and imagination, has few if any parallels. By the end of 1966 the Govern- ment of Hong Kong had become, through this programme, the direct landlord of about 903,375 people or 25 per cent of the popu- lation. An expanded building programme adopted in 1964 aims at increasing this to over 1.5 million people by 1970. The programme