TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 176

- 7

-

for elderly people whose primary need is for adequate

accommodation and who do not require the provision of

meals or other services on a regular basis. Hostels of

this type are at present provided by welfare agencies

with subventions from the Social Welfare Department, but if

the Housing Authority were able to assume the responsibility

for meeting this particular need, the welfare agencies would

be able to devote more of their energies and resources to the

housing of elderly people who have a greater need for welfare

services such as counselling, personal care and social and

recreational activities.

16.

I referred earlier to the planning standards for

various types of group accommodation for the elderly. These

ratios were laid down some years ago, and I have asked the

Director of Social Welfare to review them in the light of

current demand. These ratios can then be used as the basis

of the strategic plan to meet the shortfall in all types of

accommodation for elderly people to which you, Sir, referred

in your address at the opening of the present session.

17.

Sir, I believe that the measures I have described

will enable the accommodation needs of Hong Kong's expanding

population of elderly people to be met in ways that are best

suited to each individual's circumstances.

/Mr. F.K. Hu.