XN000022-1990-02-03 — Page 4

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1990

RENT ALLOWANCE REVISED

* *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY

(SATURDAY)

THAT

RENT ALLOWANCES UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAVE BEEN INCREASED WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1 (THURSDAY).

THE REVISED MAXIMUM RENT ALLOWANCE IS NOW $488 FOR A SINGLE PERSON, $1.140 POR A FAMILY WITH THREE MEMBERS, AND 91.425 FOR FIVE-MEMBER FAMILY.

"THE REVISION IS BASED ON THE LEVELS OF RENT CHARGED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, A SWD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

"HOUSEHOLDS WITH TWO MEMBERS, FOUR MEMBERS AND SIX OR MORE MEMBERS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE REVISION EXERCISE. HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 4.560 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HOUSEHOLDS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE REVISION OF RENT ALLOWANCE RATES.

MILLION PAYABLE

THE REVISION IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $0.7 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AND $4.3 FOR 1990-91. THE OLD AND REVISED MAXIMUM RENT ALLOWANCES UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME ARE AS FOLLOWS:

NO. OF ELIGIBLE MEMBERS

IN THE HOUSEHOLD

OLD RATE

REVISED

1 2

405

488

908

908*

3

4

908

1.140

1.238

1,238*

1.238

6 AND AROVE

1.643

1,425 1.643*

** SAME AS EXISTING RATKS)

HISTORIC STUDY HALL TO BE RESTORED

BUILT MORE THAN 140 YEARS AGO. THE DECAYING KUN TING STUDY HALL IN YUEN LONG IS TO HAVE A FACELIFT BY THE AUTUMN OF THIS YEAR.

THIS STUDY HALL IS CONSIDERED THE BEST OF IT'S KIND REMAINING IN HONG KONG SINCE THE DEMOLITION OF SEVERAL OTHERS OVER THE PAST YEARS.

FEW

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