hk1 0
D.
29.
Right to Adequate Housing (paragraph 1)
The Government's major task in the improvement of living conditions lies in the development of public housing.
30. About 2.9 million people (representing about 52% of the population) are living in various types of assisted housing: 44% in 645,000 public rental flats and 8% in 137,000 home ownership flats. This represents a significant growth compared with the figure of about 1.9 million people (or 42% of the population) in 1979/80. Despite this,
Despite this, there is still
an outstanding demand for adequate housing mainly for two reasons: (i) the population has increased by more than 7 per cent during the last decade, due to natural growth and immigration; (ii) Hong Kong families want continuously better quality housing at a price which they can afford. With land so very scarce and rents and prices of flats in the private sector among the highest in the world, the aspirations of the lower income groups for a better living environment will have to be met largely by Government.
31.
As at the third quarter of 1991, there was a total of 1,886,500 living quarters in Hong Kong, of which 813,400 (43%) were public housing flats, 960,100 (51%) private flats and the remaining 112,900 (6%) temporary structures. Together they provided housing for 1,601,700 households in Hong Kong.
32.
Under current policy, persons genuinely homeless may apply for shelter in a transit centre, and subject to verification, will be offered a space in a temporary housing area managed by the Housing Authority. According to the records kept by the Social Welfare Department, there were about 1,100 street sleepers as at the end of January 1992.
33.
Services for street sleepers, including counselling service, financial and material assistance and referrals for residential care, are provided by the Family Services Centre of the Social Welfare Department. These are supported by other units such as Social Security Field Units and Medical Social Services Units. Street sleepers with more serious difficulties, such as those who are mentally ill, are handled by Outreach Teams. Voluntary organisations also provide services for street sleepers, including day relief centres, temporary shelters and hostels.
34. The Hong Kong Housing Authority, constituted in 1973, is responsible for advising the Governor on matters relating to housing and for the planning, construction, management and coordination of all aspects of public housing and associated amenities. It also acts as the Government's agent to clear land, prevent and control squatting, and maintain improvements to squatter areas.
35. The Housing Authority was reorganised on 1 April 1988 following the announcement of a Long Term Housing Strategy
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