ENG-1956 — Page 182

146

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

or a bedspace, in a crowded tenement building often itself in need of repair or reconstruction; and for this accommoda- tion a relatively substantial rent is required, notwithstanding the degree of rent control and protection from eviction afforded by the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance.

Since the war land has been made available by Government at about one-third of the usual market value in order to encourage non-profit-making housing projects by a number of voluntary societies catering for the general public or by larger employers for their own employees.

Amongst the voluntary societies the principal role has been played by the Hong Kong Housing Society which is the pioneer locally of low-cost housing. The Society, which was formed in 1948 as an offshoot of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and incorporated by Ordinance in 1951 as a separate body, at present controls 4 Estates in Hong Kong and Kowloon :

(a) The Estate at Hung Hom is the largest, with 25 shops and 406 flats already occupied by a population of 3,000 mostly at monthly rentals, including rates, of $82. Building is going ahead on 276 flats, and work on a further 876 will start very shortly. This Estate on completion will consist of 1,558 flats for white-collar workers whose average monthly income is $530.

(b) At Sheung Li Uk there are 270 flats accommodating 1,400 people with monthly inclusive rentals from $61 to $80. Further extensions are planned.

(c) At Healthy Village, North Point, the initial stage of the Society's first Hong Kong estate, which will ultimately include 580 flats, was occupied in 1956. There are 12 shops and 280 flats already in use, housing some 1,680 persons at inclusive monthly rentals of $61 to $110. The accommodation provided here has somewhat better amenities than that at Hung Hom.

(d) At Matauchung, the Society's oldest property, there