ENG-1978 — Page 141

HOUSING AND LAND

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banks and restaurants are let for five years. However, some 10,000 former resettlement shops remain on monthly tenancies at low rents; an increase during the year brought their rents to about one-quarter of current market levels. The authority also manages 3,880 factory tenancies in 27 purpose-built blocks, and 7,590 cottages in various districts.

The authority lets about 230 premises on estates for various welfare and community purposes. These include primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, clinics, and child and youth centres. Hostels and centres are provided in some estates for the elderly and for mentally and physically retarded children and adults. Estate kaifong and residents' associations and block mutual aid committees are also provided with premises in most cases. Premises for police posts and offices for various government departments are generally let at commercial rents.

During the year, the Housing Ordinance was amended and by-laws enacted to give the authority greater power to control car parking on estate roads. Car ownership continues to increase and charges in future will be made for kerbside parking as is already the case for multi-storey carparks.

Maintenance and improvements are major items, particularly in the older estates. During the year, some $26 million was spent on contract cleansing and $80 million was spent on maintenance improvements, mainly painting contracts, planned pre- ventive maintenance of buildings and electrical systems, and estate improvements such as recreation areas and lighting. Closer control was also exercised over hawkers, both resited and mobile.

Close contact is maintained with tenants through regular visits by estate staff. In addition, regular meetings are held with more than 600 Mutual Aid Committees and other residents' associations established for purposes such as the 'Keep Hong Kong Clean' and 'Fight Crime' campaigns. The authority is concerned that these contacts should be extended.

Temporary Housing

In addition to its estates, the Housing Authority also builds and manages temporary housing areas for homeless people not eligible for permanent housing. Over the years, considerable improvements have been made in this type of housing.

All temporary housing areas now provide the basic structure of a wooden frame with an asbestos roof. Space is allocated to families according to family size, and tenants construct their own internal and external walls. Facilities provided include concrete hardstanding; house water and electricity supply; central lavatory facilities, usually with water-borne sanitation; paved and grassed common areas; security guards; and comprehensive management services. Family units are let at a modest, monthly rental of $5.38 for each square metre.

During the year, 15 new temporary housing areas were completed, with a total capacity of 27,695 people. Seven older areas housing 9,360 people were closed, and the sites used for permanent development or new temporary housing. A total of 23,500 people entered temporary housing and improvements were made in the amenities of a number of areas through the provision of more recreational and sitting-out facilities.