XN000022-1989-07-25 — Page 17

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1989

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CLEARANCE OPERATION IN TYPHOON SHELTER

AN OPERATION WAS JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE MARINE

DEPARTMENT.

THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE TODAY (TUESDAY) TO CLEAR THE DWELLING BOATS STILL REMAINING IN THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.

THE TYPHOON SHELTER WAS DECLARED A CLOSED AREA FOR DWELLING BOATS AND A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON JULY 7.

WHEN THE OPERATION BEGAN IN THE MORNING. THERE WERE 16 LICENSED AND 29 UNLICENSED DWELLING BOATS REMAINING IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.

OF THOSE VESSELS. 10 (COMPRISING EIGHT LICENSED AND TWO UNLICENSED) HAD BEEN VACATED BY THE OCCUPANTS AFTER THEY HAD MOVED INTO PUBLIC HOUSING AND 22 (COMPRISING FIVE LICENSED AND 17 UNLICENSED) WILL BE SURRENDERED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AFTER THE OCCUPANTS MOVE INTO PUBLIC HOUSING.

OCCUPANTS OF THE REMAINING 13 VESSELS (COMPRISING THREE LICENSED AND 10 UNLICENSED) HAD NOT ACCEPTED REHOUSING OFFERS BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

DURING THE OPERATION. THE MARINE DEPARTMENT REMOVED THE 10 VACANT DWELLING BOATS, WHILE STAFF FROM THE THREE DEPARTMENTS MADE A FURTHER EFFORT TO TRY TO HELP AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE FEW DWELLING-BOAT FAMILIES WHO WERE NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED WITH THEIR REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS.

AS A RESULT OF THE EFFORT, EIGHT FAMILIES REHOUSING OFFERS BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. SURRENDER THEIR BOATS TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

EVENTUALLY ACCEPTED AND UNDERTOOK TO

THEY LATER REQUESTED. AND WERE ALLOWED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, TO REMAIN IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER FOR A GRACE PERIOD UNTIL THEY MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOMES.

DURING THE OPERATION, STAFF FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WE E ON HAND TO ASSIST THOSE FAMILIES HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN PAYING RENT FOR THEIR NEW ACCOMMODATION. AND THOSE REQUIRING COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING.

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