XN000022-1995-11-02 — Page 100

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Elderly lodgers, whether in bedspace apartments or cubicles, may be rehoused either in welfare institutions operated by non-government organisations, or in public rental housing including purpose-built singleton flats, and other small flats, Housing for Senior Citizens flats and refurbished flats either on a single or shared basis. A breakdown of the supply of public housing flats for elderly people in Hong Kong in the next two years is given below:

1996

1997

Housing for Senior Citizens flats

1,430

2,000

Singleton/small flats(*)

3,850

5,090

Refurbished flats(*)

2,730

2,620

Total

8,010

9,710

*) flats suitable for housing singletons, including

elderly persons

There are special schemes designed to fast-track elderly people's applications on the Waiting List. Elderly people may apply under the Elderly Single Persons Priority Scheme or the Elderly Priority Scheme for two or more elderly persons. Beneficiaries of these schemes will be rehoused in approximately two years after registration. Every year, about 3,000 elderly people are rehoused through these priority schemes. In addition, the Housing Authority sets aside a number of flats for compassionate rehousing cases recommended by the Social Welfare Department. Each year, about 600 elderly people, some from bedspace apartments and cubicles, are rehoused in public rental housing estates through this quota.

Apart from flats provided by the Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Housing Society also provides 830 flats for elderly people.

We have launched a series of publicity and outreaching campaigns to encourage elderly people living in sub-standard private accommodation, including those living in both bedspace apartments and cubicles, to register on the Waiting List of the Housing Authority.

Decent accommodation refers to permanent housing with adequate living facilities, which provides a degree of privacy and basic management care.

End/Thursday, November 2, 1995

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