and strong demand for domestic accommodation of a good standard (at relatively high rents) can only have a marginal effect on overcrowd- ing, having regard to the magnitude of the problem. On these broad assumptions it appeared necessary during 1953 that Government should invest in low-cost housing on as large a scale as the Colony's finances could afford, but not so as to discourage private enterprise from playing its part.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
CONSTITUTION
It was against this ominous backdrop that the Hong Kong Housing Authority was created in April 1954, with the enactment of the Housing Ordinance, No. 18 of 1954. It is composed of all members of the Urban Council, ex-officio, together with not more than three persons to be nominated by the Governor: only two such appointments have, in fact, so far been made. The Chairman of the Urban Council is, also ex-officio, Chairman of the Authority. A list of Members is given in Appendix I.
Under the terms of the Ordinance the Authority was given wide powers to deal with the housing problem in many of its aspects, subject to general Government control. It functions as a commercial enterprise, and although rents are kept as low as possible they must be sufficient to cover all its expenditure. No subsidies, as such, are granted, but Crown land is allocated at one-third of the estimated market value, and loans are provided by Government from the Development Fund at a low rate of interest. Government maintains general control over the Authority's activities, and all its housing schemes must receive the prior approval of Government.
It was not at any time intended that the Authority should have the monopoly of providing low-cost housing, and private development con- tinues to receive every encouragement. A number of the larger business concerns have constructed quarters for their employees, and schemes of this sort are aided by the allocation of land on favourable terms. Government itself has started a scheme to assist local officers to build their own homes on a co-operative basis: some of these schemes have now been completed, and many others are under way. In addition many voluntary bodies, which are aided financially and allocated land under the same conditions as the Housing Authority, are making significant contributions to a solution of the problem. Among these the Hong
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