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HOUSING
building in Tuen Mun. Two other large centres were also closed during the year. At the end of the year, there were eight centres with a total capacity for 3 400 people.
Squatter Control and Clearance
Despite the rapid expansion of both public and private housing there are still about 100 000 families living in squatter areas in the urban areas and the New Territories. A large squatter control organisation prevents any new squatting on Crown land scheduled for development and aims to limit squatting on other unallocated, undeveloped Crown land.
In 1983, full control of squatting was maintained, in contrast to the steady growth of new structures built on Crown land in previous years. Squatter hut-builder racketeers formerly the main source of supply have been suppressed and prosecutions dropped dramatically to three during the year. Nevertheless, 21 300 illegal structures or extensions were demolished in the course of control.
The clearance of land for development is an important function of the Housing Authority. People involved in compulsory and emergency clearances, which cover both land and boat dwellers, are eligible for permanent public housing provided that they satisfy residence qualifications.-This requires the majority of household members either to have resided in Hong Kong for at least 10 years, or to have been born in Hong Kong to at least one parent with 10 years' residence. Other homeless people are allocated temporary housing.
A total of 450 hectares of land was cleared in 1983 with the result that 41 000 people were rehoused in temporary and 42 000 in permanent housing. In addition, 4 500 shops, workshops and agricultural undertakings were given ex gratia allowances to recognise disruption to the business on clearance. Previously squatter workshops were eligible for reprovisioning in Housing Authority factories. However, because of the plentiful supply of space in both public and private factories, there is no longer a need for direct reprovisioning and workshop clearees, after obtaining the ex gratia payments, are able to tender with others for Housing Authority factory space.
Improvements to Squatter Areas
While the aim is to rehouse all squatters in the urban areas, it is recognised that this will take many years to achieve and that in the meantime standards of hygiene and safety should be improved in squatter areas. A series of pilot schemes carried out in 1982 confirmed the feasibility of a range of improvements, and a programme of works has started on large squatter concentrations in the urban areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Tsuen Wan where settlements are more densely populated, the risk of fire higher and sanitation less satisfactory.
Measures taken initially improve safety, with the risk of large-scale fires reduced by the introduction of firebreaks (which also give fire-fighting access), fire mains and fire hydrants. Sanitation is then improved with a metered supply of water to individual households, drains and sewers, communal latrines, bath-houses, and refuse collection facilities. Foot- paths are also improved and provided with lighting. By the end of 1983, 15 000 squatters had benefited from improvements in five areas.
Management of Private Residential Buildings in Multiple Ownership
During 1983, 175 new owners' corporations were formed under the Multi-storey Buildings (Owners Incorporation) Ordinance. This legislation, passed in 1970, enables owners of a building in multiple ownership to incorporate themselves and appoint a committee for the better management of their building, particularly to ensure its maintenance and to uphold