XN000022-1972-11-01 — Page 10

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Wednesday, November 1, 1972

However, private housing is not producing as it should and statistice

show that the proportion of new domestic accommodation units below $30,000

had dropped. This made low-priced flats further beyond the reach of factory

workers or office clerks, he said.

Mr. Wong pointed out that the basic reason for the pressure of housing

is the low production of resettlement since 1968, when it was 24,100 units.

The number of units had since dropped to less than 10,000 a year on average.

"And domestic units completed for government low-cost housing in the

urban areas and New Territories failed to increase in the four years preceding

1972."

He continued:

"Low-cost housing is for the quick relief of people's

housing problems and we must appreciate their sufferings and anxiety. It must

not be allowed to be bogged down. in the mire of indecision and bureaucracy."

On income eligibility for government low-cost housing, Mr. Wong said

the $500 maximum income limit has been removed and replaced with a new scale

commencing with $500 per month for four people and below to $1,000 per month

for a household of 14 people.

"Although this scale removes somewhat the anomaly of discriminating

against large families, it nevertheless fails to raise the lower limit from

$500 to $600".

"It is unrealistic to assume that a family of 4 people can live on an

income of $500 per month nowadays, he said.

Mr. Wong welcomed the Governor's proposal for the unification and

consolidation of housing policy and administration.

Turning

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