IN CONFIDENCE
variety of drug addiction, detoxification and after-care treatment centres. Some success has been achieved, notably in reducing the number of young people taking to drugs, and in law enforcement action which has severely curtailed the supply of illicit drugs. The Hong Kong Government cooperates closely with international efforts to control drug trafficking, and it is believed that the territory no longer acts as an international centre for the world narcotics market as it once did.
HOUSING
3.7 Hong Kong's housing problem stems from the fact that the population has increased more than sevenfold since 1945. more, Hong Kong is faced with an acute shortage of land suitable for
What is development. The Hong Kong Government first started building public housing in 1954: its aim now is to ensure that every family has a permanent, self-contained home at a rent it can afford.
of 1978, public housing was available for 48% of the population
By the end some 2.2 million people. New homes in the government sector are now being built at the rate of about 35,000 units per year. private sector, about 30,000 new units are planned for each year,
In the 1979-80. At the same time there is a steady improvement in standards, with more space, better facilities and improved amenities such as shopping and recreational centres.
3.8
In the meantime, however, demand continues to exceed supply, and in 1978 there were estimated to be nearly 400,000 people in temporary squatter accommodation, and a further 60,000 people living on boats. The present high level of immigration from China will place further considerable burdens on the Government's housing programme.
SOCIAL WELFARE
3.9 Although Hong Kong does not yet have a comprehensive social security scheme, there is a non-contributory means-tested Public Assistance scheme designed to bring the income for a single person or a family up to a level at which essential needs can be met. In addition to the basic scale (which is revised regularly), supplementary assi: tance may be given to cover rent, school expenses, special diets an!ther circumstances. An old-age supplement is
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