TNAG-0911-FCO40-1121-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 66

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Housing Policy

4. The Government's policy is to assist all who live in sub-standard accommodation by the provision of subsidised public housing. These include not only boat dwellers but large numbers of people living in unsatisfactory conditions on land. Within this general policy, priority for rehousing is given to people who are rendered homeless

as a result of fire or natural disaster or whose houses become dangerous, or are on land that is needed for development. Otherwise, applications are dealt with in turn. Because of the large numbers involved (swollen by recent trends in immigration) demand exceeds supply and there is a waiting list of 6-7 years.

5. This situation exists despite the Government housing programme that is already providing subsidised public housing for over 2 million people (46% of the population) and which is adding new homes at the rate of about 40,000 a year. It is hoped by 1985 to provide accommodation for 65% of the population. This programme is outstanding by any standard; it is made all the more impressive by the fact that the Government have had to cope with a population that has increased sevenfold in 30 years, and has had to provide homes in a territory that suffers from an acute land shortage. At the same time, given the inevitable delays in matching supply to demand, it is perhaps not surprising that people should try to jump the queue, as the boat people from the Yau Ma Tei typhoon shelter are trying

to do.

The Arrest of Boat Dwellers on 7 January

6.

There have been a series of demonstrations and petitions since September 1977 by the Yau Ma Tei boat dwellers, seeking to be given priority in the allocation of public housing. Some of their activi- ties had not received the necessary authorisations, but no action was taken against the organisers until 24 December, when 150 boat dwellers, with 50 other supporters, assembled to march to the Government's central offices. Since no permit had been obtained

for the march, the police warned the demonstrators that their action was unlawful and advised them to disperse. Most did so, but a few remained to hold a press conference. The police took no further

action on that occasion.

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