HOUSING
Parking
The authority makes modest provision for monthly and hourly parking in estates and demand remains high for the 68 000 spaces available. Good results have been achieved from contract management and the number of spaces so managed increased from 20 000 to 36 000 during the year. It is envisaged that 90 per cent of all carpark spaces will be brought under contract management by 1995.
The introduction of a fixed penalty ticket system to the estates during the year helped greatly in combating illegal parking.
Squatter Control
As a result of rehousing through clearance and the waiting list, the squatter population has been reduced to 32 100 in the urban area and 220 600 in the New Territories.
The 1982 squatter structure survey provides a baseline for control of new squatting on government land and private agricultural land. Squatter control has been effectively maintained by carrying out daily patrols and regular hut-to-hut checks.
Meanwhile, the authority continues to undertake repairs and maintenance of services and facilities provided under the squatter area improvement programme. It is also responsible for settling electricity charges for public lights installed under this programme.
Squatter Clearance
During the year, 196 hectares of land were cleared, with 7 200 affected people given permanent rehousing and 5 200 given temporary rehousing. Some 670 industrial, com- mercial and agricultural undertakings affected by the clearances were awarded ex gratia allowances.
On the advice of the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering Department, which carried out re-inspections of 70 villages in the New Territories, a non- development clearance programme was drawn up. Some 3 200 persons living in squatter huts on slopes vulnerable to landslips in the event of heavy rain were provided with either permanent or temporary housing.
A total of 620 people who lost their homes as a result of fires or other natural disasters were given either permanent or temporary housing.
Temporary Housing Areas
Temporary housing areas (THAs) provide accommodation for the homeless and those people affected by clearances, fires and natural disasters who are not eligible for permanent public housing. Temporary housing consists of single or two-storey structures provided with electrical fittings, individually-metered water supply, and kitchen and shower areas.
The relaxation of the Hong Kong residence rule in March 1990 resulted in more people qualifying for permanent public housing and a reduction in the demand for temporary housing. Consequently, no new THA has been built since 1991. The demand is expected to decline further in the coming years because, since July 1993, the residence requirement for the rehousing of THA residents to permanent public housing upon clearance has been waived.
A total of 19 000 THA residents were rehoused to permanent public housing in 1994. At the end of the year, 49 400 people were living in 44 THAs located throughout the territory.
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