TNAG-1727-FCO40-2440-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 297

MR. EDWARD HO:

Sir,

JP

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON EDWARD ST HQ,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 16 MARCH 1988

-

Housing (Amendment) Bill 1988

per cent cent

Exp

Hong Kong's public housing programme

started after a

homes

squatter fire in Shek Kip Mei in 1953. It has now provided an epilation

of the to twee at affordable price or rent to some 2.7 million people or 48 of Hong Kong. By securing better living conditions to such a large

proportion of our community, the programme has undoubtedly

contributed much to the

to the social stability that we have enjoyed in

three

the past decades.

Ojdecade

Yet, if one examines the Housing Ordinance for the

first time, one would not be able to find in it any reference to the public housing policy that has guided the Housing Authority

since its formation.

The basic aim of Hong Kong's public housing policy is not covered in the Housing Ordinance. Housing policy is not determined by the Housing Authority. It i.s formulated Government, although the Housing Authority is responsible

advising the Governor on all public housing policy matters.

as

has been

by

for

In recent years, issues affecting public housing such the Domestic Rent Policy and the Housing Subsidy to Tenants of

advice given by the Housing Authority and afte:

Public Housing, have been decided by Government after public

Kad bin ashwetad

xxxxxxxxxx@áñ£xtboxxxxx

More

consultations significantly, the Long Term Housing Strategy is a major policy that has been decided by Government in a similar manner.

The Housing Authority's function is

function is to implement these

use effective

of the resources

policies with public sector.

the most

of the

is

an

(I)

With improved economic conditions in Hong Kong,

increased

increasing expectation

for

improvements

there

in

living