HOUSING
The Housing Subsidy Policy has been implemented since 1987 with an aim to reduce housing subsidies to public housing tenants who are no longer in need. Tenants who have been living in public housing for 10 or more years and whose household incomes exceed the Subsidy Income Limit (twice Waiting List Income Limit) are required to pay double net rent. The policy has been generally well-received by the public as reflected by the smooth implementation of the policy during the past three years.
In the first year of implementation of the policy, 18 per cent of the 41 000 affected households with 23 or more years' residence in public housing estates had to pay double net rent. In the second year, 24 per cent of the 62 000 affected households with 19 to 22 years' residence in public housing were required to pay double net rent. In the third year, 32 per cent of the 58 000 households with 14 to 18 years' residence in public housing estates were required to pay double rent.
The current year involved 59 000 households, whose tenancies commenced between April 1, 1973 and March 31, 1979. In addition 39 000 households who have been allowed to continue paying their existing rent two years ago are also due for biennial income review. If their household incomes are found to exceed the Subsidy Income Limit, they will be required to pay double rent as from April 1991.
Seventeen HOS courts are currently managed by private property management agents appointed by the Housing Authority. As far as possible, all new HOS courts will be selected for agency management. Under the agency management scheme, the Housing Authority remains ultimately responsible for the management standard and policy.
Under the Housing (Traffic) By-laws, the authority is empowered to impose charges for impounding, removing and storing vehicles illegally parked in housing estates. The estate roads in 124 rental estates, nine factory estates, 38 HOS courts and 28 THAs are now put under the authority's control.
A three-year trial scheme for privatising the management of carparks in 28 selected rental estates covering 7 700 parking spaces has been in effect since November 1987. Arrangements are being made to test an alternative scheme.
Staff of the Housing Management Branch were required to work irregular hours to keep hawking activities within housing estates under control. As a result of the efforts of the Major Operations Unit, there were 60 arrests and seizures in the estates during the year. Staff at estate level carried out 7 400 cases of seizures and 310 prosecutions to deter illegal hawking.
Welfare Services
Some 800 premises in estates and HOS courts are let for the provision of welfare and community services. They are charged at a concessionary rent of $19 per square metre per month, exclusive of rates. In addition, offices are let at full market rents to District Board and OMELCO members, and Urban and Regional Councillors.
A working group on Housing for the Elderly has been set up to determine how the government policy statement on services for elderly persons and the housing policy statement could best be aligned to ensure a more integrated approach in achieving their respective objectives. In June 1989, a report was produced by the working group recom- mending new housing schemes to enable elderly persons to live with or near their younger kinfolk and better standards of elderly support services, which was subsequently endorsed by the Hong Kong Housing Authority.
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