XN000022-1997-01-22 — Page 48

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Answer:

Mr President,

There are about 42,700 elderly singletons living in public rental housing estates managed by the Housing Authority. About 11,700 of them are living in flats planned for redevelopment in three years' time or thereafter; of these, about 4,000 are living in Mark IV blocks. The numbers of elderly singletons who are Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients are given as below:

Elderly singletons who are CSSA recipients

Number of elderly singletons

CSSA recipients

Elderly singletons living in public rental housing estates

42,700

32,000

Elderly singletons residing in estates

11,700

8,700

which are due for redevelopment in

three years' time or thereafter

Elderly singletons residing in Mark IV blocks which are due for redevelopment in three years' time or thereafter

4,000

3,000

The incident of the elderly singleton in Sau Mau Ping Estate killed in a fire caused by the short circuit of a mosquito extinguisher last year was an isolated one. The victim was a CSSA recipient who refused the offer to install an emergency alarm system for personal reasons.

The Housing Department has written to all elderly singleton tenants informing them of the procedures involved in applying for the installation of emergency alarm systems. Department staff make regular contacts with these elderly tenants by telephone or through home visits to encourage and help them to apply.

Ent