Monday, December 31, 1973
NEARLY 300 FAMILIES OF CHRISTMAS DAY FIRE GET PUBLIC HOUSING
The Housing Department has offered public housing to a total
of 295 families comprising 1,273 people who lost their homes in the
Christmas Day fire at the Kowloon Taai Squatter Area.
Another 37 families comprising 119 people have been offered
licensed area accommodation.
The offers were made following the site identification exercise
last Saturday and the further processing and screening during the weekend.
At present, staff of the department are sorting out some 90
doubtful cases involving about 350 people. These people have either over-
claimed or could not produce sufficient evidence for their claims. These
cases are being settled as quickly as possible.
In the further processing exercise carried out during the weekend,
58 families comprising 197 people have been found to be impostors.
"In addition, 98 families comprising 369 people who registered
themselves as victime failed to turn up at the site identification exercise,"
said Mr. Leslie Pogue, Assistant Director, Operations.
"This explains why it is essential to carry out all these steps
though this means extra work for the Housing Department staff and some
delay in re-housing the genuine victims."
Cash allowances from the Emergency Relief Fund will be paid out to
the Kowloon Teai fire victims on Thursday at the Squatter Control Office at
Li Cheng Uk Estate.
Those allocated .....