HOUSING
200
indicated by applicants. Accommodation was offered to those who, on investigation, were found eligible in respect of their family income and residence in Hong Kong. The income limits range from $4,600 for a family of two to $10,900 for a family of 10 or more. The number of 'live' applications at the end of the year stood at 133 500. In addition, there were 26 600 applications on the Single Persons Waiting List which was established in January 1985. The income limit for single persons is $3,100.
The authority provides a priority scheme under which elderly couples or single elderly persons applying in groups of two or more will be allocated public housing within two years. So far, 6 800 flats have been allocated to this category.
The authority also provides an incentive scheme under which families with elderly parents are allocated housing two years ahead of their normal waiting time. So far, 5 510 families have benefited from this scheme.
In 1986, the authority introduced a sheltered housing scheme with a warden service for able-bodied elderly people. In 1990, the scheme's second sheltered housing project was opened at Tai Wo Estate in Tai Po and Kwong Yuen Estate in Sha Tin, where 276 units were allocated to applicants attaining 60 years of age who were eligible under the com- pulsory rehousing categories, and to qualified elderly applicants from the Single Persons Waiting List and the Elderly Persons Priority Scheme.
Rent Policy for Public Housing
-With heavy government subsidies in the form of free land and low-interest loans, rents for domestic premises in public housing estates have been maintained at low levels, despite increasing operating and maintenance costs.
On the recommendation of the Domestic Rent Policy Review Committee in December 1986, domestic rents for new public housing estates are set so as not to exceed a median rent-income ratio of 15 per cent. Rents at present stand at $28.1 per square metre for the newest urban estates, but are less for others of lower estate values. These rent levels represent about one-third to one-quarter of current market rents.
Rents are reviewed on a biennial basis and adjusted to take account of increases in rates, maintenance and other costs, estate values in terms of location, facilities and services provided, as well as tenants' ability to pay. On average, public housing tenants pay seven per cent of their income as rent. Owing to the very low rents in old estates where maintenance and improvement costs are high, there is an overall deficit in the Housing Authority's estate working account for domestic properties.
During the year an ad hoc committee was formed to review the domestic rent policy and allocation standard. Its report will be published for public consultation and its recommendations will be considered by the Housing Authority for implementation.
Management
The Chairman of the Housing Authority regularly pays inspection and goodwill visits to housing estates and HOS courts, meeting community representatives.
Such visits are also made by members of the authority and the Management and Operations Committees, accompanied by senior officers of residents' associations for in- formal exchanges of views on the management of the estates and HOS courts. At estate level, the housing manager also holds meetings with mutual aid committee and residents' association office bearers.