TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1993
5
THIS BROAD POLICY DIRECTION HAD HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT BUT FORMAL PROPOSALS HAD YET TO BE DEVELOPED.
REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MODIFICATIONS, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD EARLIER ISSUED LETTERS TO AFFECTED TENANTS ADVISING THEM OF THE TWO-TIER SUBSIDY INCOME LIMITS
(SIL).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE AUTHORITY WILL NOW BE SENDING LETTERS TO AFFECTED TENANTS ADVISING THEM OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS AND INVITING THEM TO APPLY FOR CONVERSION. RENT ADJUSTMENT WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1. H
FOR EXISTING DOUBLE-RENT TENANTS WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOMES ARE BELOW THREE TIMES THE WLIL, THEY SHOULD COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THEIR INCOME DECLARATION FORMS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE ESTATE OFFICES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1993, IF THEY WANT TO APPLY TO PAY 1.5 TIMES THE NORMAL RENTS.
APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS BY THE END OF AUGUST. ANY OVER PAYMENT OF RENTS SINCE APRIL 1, 1993 WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM FUTURE RENT PAYMENTS.
NON-GOVT EXCO MEMBERS ACCEPT MODIFIED HOUSING SUBSIDY POLICY
*
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT ACTIONS TAKEN BY NON- GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AFTER A RECENT MEETING WITH THE JOINT GROUP ON THE ABOLITION OF REDUCED HOUSING SUBSIDY POLICY, THE PRESS SECRETARY (MEMBERS) GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPLY:
COLLEAGUES
TWO MEMBERS, ON BEHALF OF THEIR NON-GOVERNMENT
IN EXCO, ΜΕΤ REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JOINT GROUP ON THE ABOLITION OF REDUCED HOUSING SUBSIDY POLICY ON APRIL 28 то LISTEN ΤΟ THE LATTER'S VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT.
THE CONCERNS AND WISHES OF THE JOINT GROUP WERE REFLECTED BY MEMBERS. TOGETHER WITH THEIR OWN VIEWS, TO THE ADMINISTRATION AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING WITH HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
HAVING STUDIED THE MATTER CAREFULLY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCED INTERESTS OF VARIOUS GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY, MEMBERS SUPPORTED THE SPIRIT OF THE POLICY WHEREBY 'THOSE WHO ARE CAPABLE SHOULD PAY THEIR SHARE'.
THEY FELT THAT SHORT OF A BETTER ALTERNATIVE, THE CURRENT CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH TENANTS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY HIGHER RENTAL WERE ACCEPTABLE.
HOWEVER, MEMBERS BELIEVED THAT THOSE TENANTS WHO WERE FINANCIALLY CAPABLE AND WERE REQUIRED TO PAY HIGHER RENTAL SHOULD BE GIVEN GREATER INCENTIVES TO VACATE THEIR PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS FOR THE GENUINELY NEEDY,
AND SUGGESTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF GIVING SUCH TENANTS SPECIAL PRIORITY IN THE PURCHASE OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS.
/THE ADMINISTRATION