XN000022-1988-03-09 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988

BILL GIVES HOUSING AUTHORITY MORE FLEXIBILITY

A

A BILL ENABLING THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY TO UNDERGO REORGANISATION OF ITS STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 WAS READ A SECOND TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE REORGANISATION WOULD FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.

"UNDER THE STRATEGY,

BECOME MORE DEMAND-LED,

THE

PROVISION OF PUBLIC HOUSING WILL "THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON ROBIN SAUNDERS, SAID IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HOUSING { AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.

"INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR FAMILIES ASPIRING TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES, WHILE RENTAL HOUSING WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.

"I

MR SAUNDERS SAID THE AUTHORITY WOULD REGULARLY MONITOR DEMAND AND SUPPLY IN ALL HOUSING SECTORS.

PROGRAMME

IT WOULD THEN ADJUST ITS OWN CONSTRUCTION CO-ORDINATE WITH WHAT WAS BEING PRODUCED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR SO TO ENSURE THAT DEMAND WAS MET MOST EFFECTIVELY.

TO

AS

THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WOULD REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY ΤΟ BE ABLE TO RESPOND WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS TO MEET FUTURE HOUSING NEEDS, HE SAID.

"A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS HAS THEREFORE BEEN DEVISED TO GIVE THE AUTHORITY THE FREEDOM IT NEEDS TO DEAL WITH ITS DUTIES IN A MORE FLEXIBLE MANNER AND THE FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO PUT ITS RESOURCES WHERE ITS PRIORITIES ARE," MR SAUNDERS SAID.

"THESE MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO THE ORGANISATION AND FINANCES OF THE AUTHORITY AND THROUGH THE BILL WHICH MAKES SEVERAL NECESSARY AMENDMENTS ΤΟ THE ORDINANCE."

HOUSING

MR SAUNDERS STRESSED THAT THE PROPOSALS WERE NOT INTENDED REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

ΤΟ

"ALTHOUGH THE AUTHORITY WILL HAVE GREATER FREEDOM то MAKE DECISIONS ON OPERATIONAL MATTERS, GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE WORK OF THE AUTHORITY AND WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING MAJOR POLICY GUIDELINES WITHIN WHICH THE AUTHORITY WILL OPERATE," SAID.

THE

HE

/REFERRING TO