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5.
The Report proposed to double the amount of existing rental payable by those tenants with ten years' occupancy and whose income exceeds twice the Waiting List Income Limit (WLIL). This proposal undoubtedly will have an effect on the standard of living now enjoyed by the aforementioned tenants. Therefore, before implementing the proposal, we have to take into account the interest of those who are on the waiting list and the extra revenue that could be generated from such a proposal to meet other commitments, as well as the interest of those who are not residing in public housing and the benefit that would accrue to them through the extra revenue generated from the proposal. In order to reduce the hardship being suffered by those tenants affected by such a proposal, I would suggest that if their average household income is proved to have dropped below the so-called Subsidy Income Limit (SIL) for a continuous period of six months, that particular household should be allowed to pay the existing rent.
6.
As regards the suggestion by the Committee for more consideration be given to special cases where a tenant's household income exceeds the SIL, more emphasis should be made in defining precisely the situation or the type of expenditure that would fall within the category of "exceptional" or
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'unavoidable" expenses in order to relieve the tenants' anxiety.
7.
I shall now speak on the Report on the Domestic Rent
Review Committee.
8.
First, should our housing policy be set to achieve the objective of creating a kind of social welfare for all citizens irrespective of their means or should our housing policy be set to achieve the objectives as set out in this Report, with particular emphasis on "eligibility" and "housing need" taking into account the current economic situation of
Hong Kong.
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