XN000022-1976-06-16 — Page 9

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY GEBESA

PRESS RELEASE

新聞稿

Wednesday, 16 June 1976.

HOUSING DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS SQUATTER SURVEY

Aim To Obtain Up-To-Date Situation

More than 1,000 Housing Department staff are now engaged in a survey of all domestic and industrial squatter structures in Hong Kong,

Kowloon and Tsuen Wan.

The survey will involve mumbering and measuring all huts as well as commercial and industrial areas. It will also cover certain

grounded boats and stilted structures.

A spokesman for the Housing Department said the object of the survey was to obtain an up-to-date picture of the squatting situation.

"It will also enable the department to exercise more effective

control over squatting in future," the spokesman said.

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The survey will in no way confer immunity From demolition, but generally structures covered by the survey will not normally be cleared until the land in required for development.

"However," the spokesman emphasised, "any new structures built

after the survey will be subject to demolition,"

The survey will not affect the current eligibility criteria of

the Housing Authority for squatters on clearance.

"This means that only occupants of domestie huts covered by the 1964 general squatter survey will be eligible for public housing on clearance. All others will continue to be offered space in licensed

areas if homeless " the spokesman said.