XN000022-1995-06-07 — Page 67

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Vacant public rental flats

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau Wai-hing and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Figures released recently by the Housing Authority show that as at the end of March this year, there are over 14,000 vacant public rental flats, of which a third have been unoccupied for at least one year. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council :

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

how many of these vacant flats have never been allocated and the reasons for this; and for the other vacant flats which have previously been allocated, could the Government provide a breakdown by the number of times of allocation;

of the number of flats remaining unoccupied for one year and above, together with a breakdown by location of the housing estates concerned, duration of vacancy, numbers of flats and reasons for such flats remaining vacant; and whether all these flats have ever been allocated;

of the total number of casual vacancies out of the 14,000-plus vacant flats; what procedures have to be completed before these flats can become available for re-allocation; and how long it will take to complete those procedures; and

whether any measures will be adopted to reduce the number of vacant flats so that people in need can be allocated public housing units as soon as possible?

Answer:

Mr President.

At the end of March 1995, there were about 14,000 vacant public rental flats, representing about 2 per cent of the total stock. Of these, 6,800 flats were reserved for clearance and redevelopment exercises, 4,400 flats were under offer to applicants or were being processed for allocation, and 2,800 flats were under refurbishment. Of the 11,200 lettable flats, 1,257 were vacant for one year or more.