that the benefit of light and fresh air may be obtained from the generous window space provided; in order that perfect through ventila- tion may be realised, fanlights at ceiling height are fitted in the corridor walls.
By eliminating interior partitions the floor area necessary for a six person unit enabled the living space to be divided off for sleeping pur- poses, and two of the double bunks have been provided with privacy by means of fittings fixed to the ceiling, on which the occupants may hang curtains. A short partition, near the centre of the end wall, delineates the position in which the double bunks may best be arranged. A kitchen 5 ft. by 8 ft. is provided, fitted with a sink, shelving, and running water; a W.C. opens off the balcony and a shower is installed in it. The arrangement of this unit of accommodation for families of six is shewn in the accompanying plan and isometric view.
In the four person unit the living space is 140 sq. ft.; there is not enough area to provide separate and private sleeping space in these units, though a curtain hung between the ends of the two double bunks would provide a certain amount. A kitchen, balcony and W.C. with shower is provided as in the larger flats.
Altogether, 1420 persons can be accommodated in an area of 21
acres
or approximately 620 persons
to the acre. The density of popula- tion in this case is not so high as in some of the overcrowded parts of Hong Kong, but it is still considered a high figure The normal figure for developed areas in the United Kingdom is 200 per acre. Construction
The planning of each individual unit was carefully considered, in order that the most economical construction could be effected, Ad- vantage was taken of the close centres of dividing walls, to adopt a light form of post and beam rein- forced concrete, construction which could be speedily erected and with which local labour was entirely familiar. The panel walls and partitions are of concrete blocks, which have been plastered as a resistance to vermin infestation. Internal concrete columns are not
plastered, except to cover door frames where they occur. The concrete floor slabs have been left
unplastered on the underside, and are finished on the surface with cement screed. The concrete ground floor slab was provided with a damp- proof layer of bitumen on the underside. The roof slab projects about 3 ft. 6 ins. at the eaves, to give protection to the exterior walls. Fittings
The fittings consist of a sink and shelving in the kitchen, a shower in the water closet, and a fixed wooden bench under the window in the living space. Windows are metal in standard sizes Fittings to take curtain rods are fixed in the required positions. In order to economise in building costs, smoke flues and iron exhaust hoods have not been provided, and therefore cooking by charcoal or wood fire is not possible; oil-burning cookers or elec- tric hot-plates will be insisted upon. Water and electricity, light and power are laid on in each flat. Costs
The cost of building exclusive of land and site work was $1,770,000.00 a cube foot rate of $1.40 and amount- ted to appoximately $7,067 per unit for the larger flats and $5,686 for the smaller ones, including the ar- chitect's fees. The rent is calculated at $70.00 for the larger flats and $56.00 for the smaller; to these figures must be added rates, ap- proximately $15.00 and $11.00 res- pectively, and water charges. Tenants will have their own con- tracts with the Electric Company. The Society takes full responsibility for repairs and maintenance, includ- ing both internal and external redecoration. The Society will em- ploy two caretakers at the estate, whose wages have been allowed for in the rent calculation.
It will be noticed that it has been possible to provide accommodation at a cheaper cost per head in the six person units ($1,178.00), than in the four person units ($1,741 00), as much the same area is required for the kitchen, W.C., and balcony in both types. It is possible that units for a family of eight, or two families of four living together, would probably show a still greater improvement from this point of view.
Conclusion
An announcement was made in May advertising for applications. In this, it was stated that preference would be given to those who could give proof of Hong Kong birth or
19
long residence, a minimum of five years previous to January 1st, 1952, being necessary.
For the 270 flats, more than 6,000 applications were received, and the particulars given on the forms that were supplied were examined by a staff of trained workers, under the direction of a fully qualified Housing Manager, Miss Dorothy Ormiston, who was brought out from England to manage this scheme. Her assis- tants were all University graduates or holders of Social Science certi- ficates from Hong Kong University.
The applicants of Hong Kong birth who had families of the appropriate size, and who fell with- in the requisite income group ($250-$500 family income), were all visited. These totalled just over 1,000 and particulars, supplied by the visitors were then considered individually by a sub-committee appointed by the Housing Society. The members of the sub-committee had no personal contact with the applicants and each application was judged completely on its merits. Some four hundred applications seemed to have an equally strong claim to acceptance, and from these the final 270 were selected by ballot; the remainder of the 400 who were not successful in obtaining flats were immediately placed on the reserved waiting list, position on this list also being determined by ballot. The same ballot was used to allocate flats on the various floors, the only excep- tions being made in the case of the physically disabled or families with a large number of small children.
The Society's staff will continue to visit applicants to maintain a waiting list for future vacancies, and also to obtain some indication of the real housing needs of the Colony. As a result of investigations already carried out, the Society has obtained much valuable information on living conditions in the various districts of Hong Kong, which will have some influence on future building of the
same nature.
Miss Ormiston, the Housing Manager, will be in direct charge of the flats, with Chinese assistants who will be trained by her to do similar work. It is hoped that a community spirit will be developed among the residents and that through a tenants' committee, the general welfare of all will be secured.
In order to promote the com- munity spirit and provide special
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