XN000022-1993-04-28 — Page 24

12

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1993

8.

—

ASSUMES

IN UNDERTAKING THE REVIEW, CERTAIN BASIC PREMISES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE IS THAT THE REVIEW IS NOT AND I REPEAT 'NOT' A REVIEW OF HOUSING POLICY. THE REVIEW THAT THERE WILL BE NO FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AS SET OUT IN THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY. AND THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING POLICIES WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AS NECESSARY.

9.

ALSO, WE SHOULD NOTE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE HUGE CAPITAL COMMITMENT AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, THE AUTHORITY'S FINANCES TODAY ARE IN A RELATIVELY HEALTHY STATE. THE AUTHORITY HAS, BY AND LARGE, ACHIEVED SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THIS IS A TREND WE HOPE TO SEE MAINTAINED. IT IS IN THE COMMUNITY'S INTEREST TO SEE AN OPTIMUM RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES. BY OPTIMUM RETURN, I DO NOT MEAN ΤΟ IMPLY THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS REGARDED AS A CASH COW TO BE MILKED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IN DRAWING UP THE 1988 FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS, FULL REGARD WAS GIVEN TO THE FACT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY.

10.

THE PRIMARY AIM OF THE REVIEW IS TO MAKE SUCH CHANGES AS ARE NECESSARY TO THE PRESENT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ΤΟ ENSURE THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UP TO AT LEAST THE YEAR

2001, THAT 15, THE PRESENT PLANNING FOR THE LONG TERM HOUSING

STRATEGY. IT IS ALSO OUR INTENTION TO TRY TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN CARRYING OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES BEYOND 2001.

11.

A SECONDARY AIM OF THE REVIEW IS TO TAKE ON BOARD CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE EMPHASIS ON PUBLIC HOUSING HAS GRADUALLY SHIFTED. THE PRESSURE IS NOT SIMPLY FOR THE PROVISION OF BASIC HOUSING IN THE SENSE OF THE BARE MINIMUM SHELTER. THE COMMUNITY'S ASPIRATION NOW IS FOR MUCH BETTER HOUSING STANDARDS IN AN IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS BOTH LEGITIMATE AND NATURAL AS OUR SOCIETY MOVES TOWARDS INCREASING AFFLUENCE. THE COMMUNITY MUST NOW

ASK ITSELF HOW THE DEMAND FOR BETTER HOUSING SHOULD BE BALANCED AGAINST THE COMPETITION FOR RESOURCES IN OTHER POLICY PROGRAMME AREAS, SUCH AS HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE REVIEW

12.

THE REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS IS BEING UNDERTAKEN WITH A VIEW TO

-

(A)

(B)

(C)

EXAMINING HOW SUCCESSFULLY ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MET;

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NEW

EXAMINING THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE ARRANGEMENTS ON BACH OF THE AUTHORITY'S MAIN AREAS OF OPERATION;

SETTING OUT MORE CLEARLY A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS HAVE ARISEN AND ISSUES; AND

RESOLVING

OUTSTANDING

/(D)

PRODUCING AN