TNAG-1575-FCO40-2148-Housing-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 6

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housing tenants. For clarity, I I shall attempt to

areas

that

our

ad

hoc

group

has

sum

up the

separate

the covered under headings of the two reports. I shall also voice my own opinion at the appropriate points.

Report of the Committee on Housing Subsidy to Tenants of Public Housing

to

We discussed at length the purpose and objective of the introduction of this new measure. Some Members feel the original

this rent declared

exercise, doubling

i.e. objective of pressurize those less in need into vacating their flats by fiscal means, may be self-defeating in the light of other supporting arguments which claim the rents doubled are still reasonable and should affordable. Others are unconvinced

unconvinced that property owners not be evicted to make way for those eligible applicants on the long Waiting List. Although there have been adjustments to the original Green Paper as a result of extensive consultation, some of us are still not altogether happy with the method now proposed for the calculation of Household Income and the revised formula for Subsidy Income Limit.

the

end

We are by and large in tune with the principle that at

subsidized of ten

of substantially years

housing,

to to establish

However most

tenants' financial

financial condition should be re-assessed whether the same level of subsidy should continue. of us are not comfortable that the increase at the end of the tenth year is automatic, with the onus of proof placed squarely on the tenants. Most of us prefer to see the provisions made for a declaration of income at the completion of the first 10 years. Those tenants who prefer not to declare could apply for exemption if he is willing to pay the new rent. In my view this is more than a presentational point. This reinforces the principle that