XN000022-1984-03-15 — Page 6

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1934

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NEW HOMES FOR TIN SHUI WAI RESIDENTS

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REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING FINALISED FOR ABOUT HALF OF THE 200-PLUS FAMILIES INVOLVED IN THE COMING TIN SHUI WAI CLEARANCE. WHICH WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TOWN THERE, THE JEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, SAID TODAY

.JRSDAY).

HE SAID THAT MORE THAN 40 FAMILIES HAD ALREADY PAID RENTS FOR THE IR NEW HOMES, MAINLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS.

MR WILSON ALSO APPEALED TO OTHER FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED TO MAKE EARLY DECISIONS ON OFFERS OF REHOUSING OR ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS SO THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS COULD BE PROCESSED BY THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.

+WORK ON THE TIN SHUI WAI PROJECT WILL START NEXT MONTH,

+WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, THE NEW TOWN WILL PROVIDE HOMES AND EMPLOYMENT FOR SOME 135 000 PEOPLE, AND THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WILL BEGIN TO TAKE IN TENANTS IN MID-1989, + HE SAID.

MR WILSON POINTED OUT THAT THE CLEARANCE, WHICH WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH, INVOLVES. UNLEASED CROWN LAND ONLY, AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE OFFERED TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES ACCORDING TO CRITERIA SET BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

IN ADDITION, EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WILL ALSO BE MADE TO ELIGIBLE FARMERS AND BUSINESS OPERATORS.

MR WILSON STRESSED THAT FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS WITH PARTICULAR PROBLEMS COULD APPROACH THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE.

+TO THIS END, A SPECIAL UNIT COMPRISING OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE CLEARANCE HAS BEEN SET UP TO GIVE EVERY ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS, HE SAID.

+ IN FACT, THIS UNIT HAS BEEN MEETING FAMILIES PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS TO DISCUSS INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.+

FOR GENUINE FARMERS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE FARMING ELSEWHERE IN YUEN LONG, MR WILSON SAID HIS OFFICE WAS ALWAYS PREPARED TO HELP THEM.

+ IF THEY CAN LEASE OR BUY PRIVATE FARM LAND, THEY CAN APPLY TO THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE FOR A TEMPORARY FARM LICENCE WHICH WILL ALSO ALLOW THEM TO BUILD A TEMPORARY HOUSE PROVIDED THEY AGREE TO GIVE UP THEIR PUBLIC HOUSING ENTITLEMENT. ABOUT E SUCH APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVESTIGATED, HE SAID.

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