TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 22

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The main reason for imposing the space

eligibility of 2.23 square metres per person is to make

the best use of limited housing resources for the most

deserving cases, that is those more overcrowded families

who are unable to buy Home Ownership flats, rather than

a tightening of the eligibility criterion.

The demand and supply situation in public

housing has not been affected by the revised space eligi-

bility criterion. The numbers of families transferred for

overcrowding relief purposes in the six years up to 1984-85

were 4100, 3600, 4500, 6200, 4800 and 5000 respectively.

These figures suggest that the transfer pattern has not

changed substantially over this period.

As for those overcrowded families who are not

eligible for relief, they can improve their space situation in various ways. Firstly, by the purchase of Home Ownership

flats making use of the Green Form. Secondly, by applying

for larger flats through the Waiting List, in which case

the Waiting List eligibility criteria will apply. Thirdly,

in the case of large extended families, one or more of the

nuclear family units may apply for public housing through

the Waiting List or buy Home Ownership flats. If large

families are able to give up one rental flat, they will

be eligible to buy Home Ownership flats under the Green Form sys-

tem.

But if they are not able to give up a rental flat,

they can still apply for Home Ownership but through the

White Form system. Fourthly, overcrowded families may be

provided with larger flats on compassionate grounds.