TNAG-0270-FCO40-306-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 55

2600224 C.S. 84

RESTRICTED

XCR(70)303

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(a) and (b) are not material differences in terms of cost but their provision in resettlement buildings will assist in the exercise of control over tenants decorating and altering the arrangement of their rooms (e. g. by enclosing the balcony) which can damage new buildings and leads to loss of control in general management. The advantage of the 14 feet 6 inches structural grid is that it allows the inclusion of a permanently screened cooking bench on the balcony without unduly hampering light and ventilation to the domestic room and further obviates the necessity for balcony enclosure which is presently tolerated in resettlement blocks. In addition, whereas the largest room in the Resettlement Mark VI design is very long and narrow and can accommodate a maximum of seven persons, the 14 feet 6 inches grid allows for a better proportioned room for families of up to 9 persons and this in turn would enable better allocation to be made of living space and associated facilities. This is because Resettlement families of over 7 persons now require the allocation of two rooms with, consequently, duplicated toilet facilities.

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1

The Director of Public Works has reported that the improved design would not involve any material increase in size of sites or site development costs. At the same time the Director, after further study since the Board first reported, has concluded that the difference in design standards cannot properly be represented by $100 per 35 square feet unit. The latest tenders received for Resettlement Mark VI blocks at Ham Tin · and Govern- ment Low-cost Housing blocks at Ho Man Tin show that there is a difference of only 2.6% per 35 square foot unit. In other words, the Director is of the view that the difference is now of such small proportions that the change in design, carrying with it all the advantages in allocation and living standards foreseen by the Board and briefly summarised above with the additional advantage of having one standard design for all Government Housing with the resulting economies in staff and contractors' effort, should be endorsed by Council as soon as possible.

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In these circumstances and bearing in mind that the extra cost of construction will be recovered through the rents assessed for the new blocks on the basis described at paragraph 6 (or paragraph 7 if the new blocks are administered by the Housing Authority - see paragraph 44) it is recom- mended that this recommendation should be accepted subject to the provision of the necessary funds by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.

H.

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Deferment of certain Kwai Chung Government Low-cost Housing Estates

The Board recommended in July 1969 the immediate deferment of calling for tenders in respect of certain Government Low-cost Housing estates at Kwai Chung, namely Lai King, Kwai Shing II/III and part of Lei Muk Shue Estate, until the likely overall demand and time-scale of that demand could be established with greater accuracy. Since this recom- mendation came from the Housing Board itself, it was immediately acted upon and the Board's further recommendations on the timing of the building of these estates is still awaited.

RESTRICTED

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