HOUSING
Squatter Control
Daily patrols and hut-to-hut checks have been effective in keeping squatting activities under strict control.)
Each squatter patrol team consists of a housing assistant supported by workmen equipped with demolition tools. During the year 7 100 new unauthorised structures or extensions to existing structures were demolished on government land and leased agri- cultural land.
The squatter population was reduced from 376 000 to 330 000 and domestic structures from 118 000 to 110 000 as a result of clearances, natural disasters and rehousing through various channels.
Improvements to Squatter Areas
The comprehensive Squatter Area Improvement Programme is aimed at safety and providing basic services in squatter areas not yet due for clearance and redevelopment for a minimum of three to four years.
In the first five years this programme was enforced in large and densely-populated settlements in the urban area and Tsuen Wan. However, for the past two years, it has been extended to smaller and less densely-populated areas. Where required, a separate street lighting programme is carried out.
During the year, 11 comprehensive projects were completed and another five were under construction. In addition, 203 street lights were installed in 14 squatter areas not required for comprehensive improvements.
When the improvement programme is completed in 1990, some 120 000 persons will have benefited from it. The cost of the whole programme amounts to $182 million.
Clearance
During the year, 420 hectares of land were cleared for development. This resulted in 27 000 people being given permanent housing and 11 000 temporary housing. Some 1 500 in- dustrial, commercial and agricultural undertakings affected by clearances were awarded ex-gratia allowances. A total of 3 000 people who became homeless as a result of fires and landslips were provided with permanent or temporary accommodation.
Kowloon Walled City Clearance
The Kowloon Walled City covers 2.7 hectares and encompasses some 30 000 people and 930 commercial undertakings. Since January 14, 1987, when the government announced its decision to clear the Walled City, good progress has been made. The clearance is being undertaken in four phases by the Special Duties Office.
Phases I and II have been completed and 13 000 people have moved to new homes. The whole clearance programme is expected to be completed in mid-1992. After the clearance, the site will be developed by the Urban Council into a public park with related community facilities. Construction work on this is expected to begin late in 1992.
At the end of 1989, 14 500 residents had been rehoused and the operators of 296 commercial undertakings had accepted cash compensation totalling $86 million.
Management of Private Residential Buildings in Multiple Ownership Privately owned buildings constitute more than half the territory's housing stock and accommodate about half the population. Most of these buildings are high-rise blocks
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