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MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 1983
*THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO PURCHASE FLATS IN PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS. THIS WILL BE A TRIAL SCHEME WHICH, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, WILL PROVIDE SOME 700 PLACES ACCOMMODATED IN FLATS SUITABLE FOR FOUR TO SIX ELDERLY PERSONS LIVING TOGETHER IN A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT.+
IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PURCHASED 80 FLATS IN THE SHA TIN CITY ONE COMPLEX. THE FLATS ARE FULLY FURNISHED, SUPPLIED WITH WATER, GAS AND ELECTRICITY, AND COME WITH A REFRIGERATOR, COOKING FACILITIES AND A TELEPHONE.
EACH APARTMENT HAS THREE BEDROOMS - ONE FOR A MARRIED COUPLE - AND TWO BEDROOMS TO ACCOMMODATE FOUR SINGLE PERSONS.
THE FIRST BATCH OF FLATS WILL ACCOMMODATE 470 PERSONS, MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT OTHER HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS TO PROVIDE MORE PLACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE TRIAL SCHEME.
THE GOLD COIN HOUSING SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE PLACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE, FOR VARIOUS REASONS, TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS IN HONG KONG OFTEN MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR OLD PEOPLE, WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF A FAMILY, TO AFFORD DECENT SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION. MANY OF THESE OLD PEOPLE ARE STILL IN GOOD PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WITH A MINIMUM OF SUPPORT, THEY ARE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
THROUGH THE SURPLUS FUNDS OBTAINED FROM THE SALES OF THE GOLD COINS, THE PROVISION OF SHELTERED HOUSING WILL ALLOW THESE PEOPLE TO FOREGO THE MORE INSTITUTIONAL FORMS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE.
THERE ARE CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO ENTRY. THE ELDERLY ACCEPTED FOR THE SCHEME SHOULD BE AGED 60, OR OVER, BUT PREFERABLY NOT OVER 70.
THEY SHOULD HAVE GENUINE HOUSING NEEDS AND HAVE INCOME NOT EXCEEDING THAT SET FOR OTHER APPLICANTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING. THE OLD PEOPLE SHOULD BE WILLING TO ACCEPT FAMILY-STYLE LIVING, BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HEALTHY AND CAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES.
A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IS TO BE BUILT WITHIN THE SHA TIN CITY ONE COMPLEX.
THE GOVERNMENT REGARDS THE GOLD COIN SHELTERED HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY SCHEME AS A ONE-OFF PROJECT BUT THE RESULTS WILL BE CAREFULLY MONITORED. IF IT PROVES A SUCCESS THEN. AS THE GOVERNOR NOTED IN HIS SPEECH LAST YEAR +SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FURTHER FUNDS. THE SCHEME COULD BE EXPANDED BY THE ACQUISITION OF FURTHER PROPERTIES.+
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