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MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
EXPERT TEAM SET UP TO MAP OUT COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME
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EVERY HONG KONG FAMILY DREAMS OF THE DAY THEY CAN HAVE A DECENT HOME AT A RENTAL OR PRICE THEY CAN AFFORD.
HOW CAN THEIR DREAMS BE REALISED? WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY DO TO HELP? IN WHAT WAYS AND BY WHAT MEANS CAN THIS ULTIMATE TARGET BE ACHIEVED?
A PLANNING TEAM HAS BEEN SET UP TO SEEK THE ANSWERS TO THESE AND MANY OTHER QUESTIONS. IT WILL WORK UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A STEERING GROUP CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. JAN LIGHTBODY, AND MEMBERS WILL CONSIST OF THE CHAIRMEN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S VARIOUS COMMITTEES TOGETHER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION AND A SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT.
THE PLANNING TEAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRAWING A PROGRAMME PLAN ON THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HOUSING, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR.
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IT WILL EVALUATE CURRENT PRODUCTION EFFORTS AS WELL AS THE . DEMAND FOR HOUSING, EXAMINE VARJOUS WAYS TO ACHIEVE THE PROJECTED HOUSING OBJECTIVES AND RELATE THE PERFORMANCE OF INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES TO OVERALL TARGETS. THIS WILL ALSO INCLUDE UPDATING THE LONG-TERM PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME BASED ON THE LATEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
+THIS WILL MEAN A SYSTEMATIC AND THOROUGH LOOK AT HOUSING PRODUCTION, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR OR REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING DWELLINGS, THE ELIMINATION OF HOUSING THAT CAN'T BE MADE HABITABLE, PROPER BUILDING HANAGEMENT, INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, MORTGAGE FINANCE, IMPROVEMENT GRANTS, HOME OWNERSHIP AND OTHER RELATED TOPICES,+ AN OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE EMPHASIS WILL NOT JUST BE ON BUILDING FLATS BUT RATHER ON THE CREATION OF COMMUNITIES IN A DECENT LIVING ENVIRONMENT.+
HE ADDED THAT THE PLAN WILL BE REVIEWED REGULARLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CONDITIONS.
HEADING THE TEAM WILL BE MR. THOMAS LINNA, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY CMANAGEMENT) OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT WHO IS VERY EXPERIENCED IN PREPARING SUCH, PLANS.
/CO-LEADER OF