ENG-1962 — Page 220

LAND AND HOUSING

179

Since 1950 land has been made available by Government at one-third of its estimated value to encourage non-profit-making housing projects. These may be run by voluntary societies, pro- viding housing for the lower income groups, or by employers for their staff. A summary of all new housing completed during 1962 is given at Appendix VIII.

Voluntary Organizations. A number of voluntary organizations have built housing for lower and middle income groups during recent years. Prominent among these is the Hong Kong Housing Society, which is a non-profit-making organization formed in 1948 by a group of public spirited men and women of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. The society has now housed over 40,000 people in 6,600 flats on eight estates in different parts of the Colony. The rents of these flats are $37 a month for a small room with communal facilities, and an average of $80 a month for a larger room with adjoining kitchen, toilet and balcony. The estates are well laid out and have playgrounds and gardens. Some also have welfare facilities such as boys' and girls' clubs, day nurseries, clinics and vocational classes.

During 1962 the society completed 1,839 flats housing 10,556 people on its estates at Wong Tai Sin, Shau Kei Wan and Aberdeen. At the end of the year the society had almost completed another 732 flats at Aberdeen and Shau Kei Wan which will accommodate over 4,500 people. It also had work in hand which will provide accommodation for some 16,000 people in 2,734 flats at Shau Kei Wan, Aberdeen and Healthy Village, North Point. Plans are well advanced on six 'other estates for nearly 10,000 flats which will house over 50,000 people. Funds for the society's schemes are normally provided by Government at low interest rates. The society also operates a loan scheme under which firms lend money to cover the cost of constructing flats, and in return are given a lease of accommodation for nominated employees. These loans are interest free and repayable over 20 years. To date 660 flats have been financed in this way.

Other voluntary organizations providing accommodation include the Hong Kong Settlers Housing Corporation. The corporation manages a number of cottages and, with a Government loan, is erecting eight blocks of multi-storey buildings with 1,800 flats to accommodate 8,000 people at Tai Hang. Many employers also