ENG-1954 — Page 166

HOUSING, RESETTLEMENT AND TOWN PLANNING

the Colony is increasing by an estimated 1,000 persons a week through the natural preponderance of births over deaths.

It was against this background that the Housing Authority was created on the 29th April, 1954, and was charged with the duty of providing accommodation for those persons in the Colony living in overcrowded and unsatisfactory conditions. It is not intended that the Authority should have the monopoly of housing, and private development will still be encouraged. A number of business concerns have constructed quarters for their staff and schemes of this sort are being aided by the allocation of land at reduced premia. Government itself, which does not provide accommodation for its local staff, except in special cases, has started a scheme to assist local officers to build their own homes on a co-operative basis. Finally the forerunners of the Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Housing Society and the Hong Kong Model Housing Society are, for the present at any rate, to continue their housing schemes.

By the provisions of the Housing Ordinance, No. 18 of 1954, the Housing Authority consists of all members of the Urban Council, ex officio, together with not more than three persons to be appointed by the Governor. Two such appointments have been made.

The Authority functions as a commercial enter- prise and while the rents of the accommodation which it provides are to be kept as low as possible, they must be sufficient to cover all its expenditure. No sub- sidies, as such, are given but Crown land is allocated at half the normal upset price and loans are given by

127