XN000022-1995-11-08 — Page 53

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(b) of the breakdown by number and location of public and temporary housing units which the Government has set aside for rehousing squatters who are affected by clearance; and

(c) whether, in the event of the number of public and temporary housing units set aside being insufficient to rehouse all affected squatters, the Government will consider deferring the clearance of some squatter areas which do not pose immediate danger, and postponing the target date of clearing all squatter areas before March 1996 as pledged by the Governor in his recent Policy Address?

Reply:

Mr President.

In 1992, there were about 33,500 urban squatters living on Government land covered by the Government's undertaking to offer rehousing by March 1996. Of these, 28,000 have already been rehoused. The majority of the remaining 5,500 occupy about 2,000 structures in 13 squatter areas: 11 located on Hong Kong Island and two in Kowloon. Please refer to the information I have just tabled (Annex A). These squatter areas are being cleared, and residents are being offered or will be offered rehousing shortly.

In 1995-96, the Housing Department has set aside a quota of 1.200 public rental housing units and 2,400 temporary housing accommodation places for all urban squatter clearees. For a breakdown of this provision, please refer to the information tabled (Annex B). The accommodation set aside will be sufficient to meet the rehousing needs of the remaining 5,500 urban squatters on Government land.