XN000022-1992-04-12 — Page 2

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1992

2,300 GET IMPROVED HOUSING

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MORE THAN 2,300 PEOPLE HAVE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT IMPROVED IN THE PAST 10 MONTHS THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING SCHEME, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

CHIEF SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MRS KATHERINE SHIN, SAID A TOTAL OF 1,336 CASES HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED TO HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST 10 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY. ·

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"COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING IS AIMED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH GENUINE, IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM HOUSING NEED BECAUSE OF THEIR VERY SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES AND PERSONAL FACTORS," SHE SAID.

MRS SHIN SAID IN THE COURSE OF DAILY WORK, SERVICES UNITS OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND SOME NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS MAY IDENTIFY CASES AND RECOMMEND THEM FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING.

"NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES MAY ALSO MAKE DIRECT ENQUIRIES OF SERVICES UNITS OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

"CASES RECOMMENDED FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING SHOULD NORMALLY HAVE FINANCIAL MEANS COMPARABLE TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND FULFIL THE RESIDENCE QUALIFICATION LAID DOWN BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MRS SHIN ADDED.

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SHE EXPLAINED THAT PERSONS WITH POOR HEALTH AND DISABILITIES WITH RECOMMENDATION FROM MEDICAL PERSONNELS AND SOCIAL WORKERS THAT IMPROVED HOUSING WAS ESSENTIAL TO HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OR TO RE-INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY COULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECOMMENDATION FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING.

ALSO SOCIAL HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WHO WERE FACING PRESSURES BECAUSE OF UNSUITABLE ACCOMMODATION AND WHO MAY FACE SERIOUS AND LONG- TERM DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS COULD BE CONSIDERED FOR SUCH RECOMMENDATION.

IN ADDITION, ELDERLY PUBLIC-ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS LIVING IN CROWDED BEDSPACE APARTMENT OR A LOW-INCOME SINGLE PARENT WITH YOUNG DEPENDENT CHILDREN AND PERSONS SUFFERING FROM DISABILITIES REQUIRING IMPROVED LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR REHABILITATION MIGHT BE INCLUDED.

"COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING IS ONLY ONE OF THE VIABLE SOLUTIONS TO HOUSING PROBLEMS. OTHER SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE SUCH AS HOMES OR HOSTEL PLACEMENT AND RELEASE OF FINANCIAL GRANTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE AND WOULD BE ARRANGED IF APPROPRIATE, MRS SHIN STRESSED.

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