XN000022-1989-05-10 — Page 32

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989

MORE TO BENEFIT FROM ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE SCHEMES

AND

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALREADY INCREASED INCOME LIMITS LOANS SO THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE SCHEMES.

OF THE

AS FROM APRIL 1 THIS

YEAR, THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WAGE LIMIT WAS RAISED FROM $8,500 TO $10,000 WHILE THE LOAN AMOUNT HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME WAS INCREASED TO $110,000 FROM $70,000.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

"SINCE THESE PROVISIONS HAVE JUST BEEN INTRODUCED, IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO CONSIDER ANY CHANGES AT THIS TIME," HE SAID.

HOWEVER, MR LIAO ADDED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED SCHEMES ΤΟ SEE WHETHER ANY FURTHER REVISIONS WOULD BE NECESSARY.

ON THE PRODUCTION SIDE, MR LIAO SAID THAT WHILE THERE WAS A STRONG DEMAND FOR ASSISTED HOME OWNERSHIP, THERE WAS ALSO A SIZEABLE OUTSTANDING DEMAND FOR RENTAL PUBLIC HOUSING FROM SQUATTERS AND OTHER APPLICANTS ON THE GENERAL WAITING LIST.

AND ALTHOUGH A VERY SUBSTANTIAL DEMAND FOR RENTAL HOUSING WOULD BE MET BY THE MID-1990S UNDER THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, IN THE MEANTIME, HAD TO STRIKE A SUITABLE BALANCE IN ITS PRODUCTION PROGRAMME.

ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR LIAO STRESSED RESPONSIBILITY PRIMARILY RESTED WITH THE OWNERS THEMSELVES.

THAT THE

ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO INTENTION OF ASSUMING ANY PORTION OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY, IT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSISTENT NEGLECT OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN PRIVATE BUILDINGS.

IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LIAO SAID THAT GOVERNMENT'S AIM WAS TO ENSURE THAT A RIGHT LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK EXISTED FOR A MULTI-OWNED BUILDING TO BE PROPERLY MANAGED.

CURRENT MEASURES IN THIS DIRECTION INCLUDE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT TEAMS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONTENTS OF NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.

COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING

MR LIAO PRAISED THE ADVISORY MANAGEMENT WHICH HE SAID HAD "PUT IN A GREAT DEAL THEIR WORK SINCE ITS FORMATION SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

OF

EFFORT INTO

"THE SUPPORT