112
E. G. PRYOR
The 1966 by-census showed that the not inconsiderable efforts by private developers and the government were still being overwhelmed by the continued growth of the population, which had increased to 3.7 millions. In the main urban areas, there were 464,000 households (1.93 million people) living in substandard accommodation in buildings constructed of "permanent" materials. In addition, there were still 52,100 households (273,200 persons) living in squatter huts. This made a total of 516,000 households containing 2.2 million persons without satisfactory accommodation in the main urban areas. Including the other parts of the colony, there were 573,000 households comprising 2.46 million persons in this category.
The results of the 1971 Census are now becoming available and, despite trends towards a slower rate of population growth, the overall housing situation still presents a considerable challenge. The population of the colony at March 1971 stood at some 3.9 millions. Of this total 3.5 million lived in the metropolitan area of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Kowloon and Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung within 802,500 households occupying 619,900 living quarters. Thus, there were, on average, 1.29 households for each living quarter. Over 182,000 households containing 785,000 persons therefore had to share accommodation with other families. Furthermore, within the gross population figure for the colony over 295,000 persons lived in squatter structures; of this total 108,000 squatters lived in the rural parts of the New Territories. Another significant but hopeful trend revealed by the census was the considerable shift of population from many of the older, congested central districts, such as Wanchai and Yau Ma Tei, and a movement to peripheral areas such as Tsuen Wan and Kai Tak, where there are better opportunities for comprehensive design (Figure 6).
The Role of Government in the Provision of Housing
In concluding this historical review of housing conditions in Hong Kong, particular note needs to be made of the considerable role which the government and government-subsidised agencies have come to play in the provision of accommodation for those families unable to afford to rent or buy a decent home in the private sector.
The first body to take a lead in this field was the Hong Kong Housing Society which was incorporated in 1951. An initial loan
112
E. G. PRYOR
The 1966 by-census showed that the not inconsiderable efforts by private developers and the government were still being over- whelmed by the continued growth of the population, which had increased to 3.7 millions. In the main urban areas, there were 464,000 households (1.93 million people) living in substandard accommodation in buildings constructed of "permanent” materials. In addition, there were still 52,100 households (273,200 persons) living in squatter huts. This made a total of 516,000 households containing 2.2 million persons without satisfactory accommodation in the main urban areas. Including the other parts of the colony, there were 573,000 households comprising 2.46 million persons in this category.
The results of the 1971 Census are now becoming available and, despite trends towards a slower rate of population growth, the overall housing situation still presents a considerable challenge. The population of the colony at March 1971 stood at some 3.9 millions. Of this total 3.5 million lived in the metropolitan area of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Kowloon and Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung within 802,500 households occupying 619,900 living quarters. Thus, there were, on average, 1.29 households for each living quarter. Over 182,000 households containing 785,000 persons therefore had to share accommodation with other families. Furthermore, within the gross population figure for the colony over 295,000 persons lived in squatter structures; of this total 108,000 squatters lived in the rural parts of the New Territories. Another significant but hopeful trend revealed by the census was the considerable shift of popula- tion from many of the older, congested central districts, such as Wanchai and Yau Ma Tei, and a movement to peripheral areas such as Tsuen Wan and Kai Tak, where there are better opport- unities for comprehensive design (Figure 6).
The Role of Government in the Provision of Housing
In concluding this historical review of housing conditions in Hong Kong, particular note needs to be made of the considerable role which the government and government-subsidised agencies have come to play in the provision of accommodation for those families unable to afford to rent or buy a decent home in the private sector.
The first body to take a lead in this field was the Hong Kong Housing Society which was incorporated in 1951. An initial loan
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