XN000022-1987-07-08 — Page 34

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987

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PRIORITY FOR WAITING LIST APPLICANTS

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PRIORITY IN THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING MUST BE GIVEN TO THOSE ON THE WAITING LIST AND THOSE AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE, THE HON HU FA-KUANG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

WHEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD BASICALLY RESOLVED HOUSING NEEDS FROM THESE TWO CATEGORIES, ATTENTION COULD THEN BE GIVEN TO THOSE LIVING IN OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHICH REQUIRED ADDITIONAL 125,000 UNITS, HE ADDED.

SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, MR HU SAID REDEVELOPMENT OF OLDER ESTATES WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIVING CONDITIONS, BUT REDEVELOPED ESTATES, DUE TO ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION COST, WOULD ALSO MEAN CONSIDERABLY HIGHER RENT FOR TENANTS.

MEANWHILE, ADDITIONAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHARGES FOR OLDER ESTATES WOULD HAVE COMPARATIVELY LESS EFFECT ON RENTAL CHARGE, HE SAID.

"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD KEEP A RANGE OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ESTATES WITH DIFFERENT RENTAL CHARGES DEPENDING ON THE STANDARD OF LIVING CONDITIONS AND SUPPORTING FACILITIES FOR THE APPLICANTS OR TENANTS TO CHOOSE, HE ADVISED.

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"WE HAVE TO KEEP SOME OLDER LOW COST LOW RENT HOUSING ESTATES ESPECIALLY FOR THF LOWER-INCOME GROUP,

"THIS APPLIES PARTICULARLY TO HOUSING ESTATES WHICH HAVE BEEN FULLY DEVELOPED AND REDEVELOPMENT COULD NOT PRODUCE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION," HE SAID.

MR HU SAID TENANTS IN THESE OLDER HOUSING ESTATES COULD MOVE TO EITHER NEWER ESTATES WITH HIGHER RENT OR PURCHASE HOS/PSPS FLATS OR FLATS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR IF THEY COULD AFFORD THE REMOVAL FINANCIALLY.

THE VACATED UNITS COULD THEN BE ALLOCATED TO APPLICANTS OR TENANTS WHO PREFERRED LOWER RENTAL PAYMENT.

HE SAID: "REDEVELOPMENT OF OLDER HOUSING ESTATES CAN BE CONSIDERED IF REDEVELOPMENT CAN PRODUCE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION WHICH WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THE WAITING LIST APPLICANTS.

"OLDER HOUSING ESTATES NOT TO BE REDEVELOPED MAY HAVE LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING LIVING CONDITIONS, BUT WITHOUT SERIOUS EFFECT ON RENTAL CHARGE.'

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ANH HU