ENG-1980 — Page 147

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HOUSING AND LAND

housing. Other families wishing to move into a different flat can register with the Mutual Exchange Bureau or, if they have substantial reasons other than overcrowding for moving, they can request a transfer to a flat of the same size.

The Housing Authority is also an important commercial landlord, with 12,400 shop, bank and restaurant tenancies of various sizes. Shops and shop-stalls in new commercial complexes are let on tendered rentals, thus giving the smaller operator with limited capital an opportunity to obtain an estate shop. Commercial properties are generally let on a three or five-year agreement. Rents are raised to near-market levels on renewal of an agreement, but, where increases are substantial, it is the policy of the Housing Authority to apply them in stages over two or three years. The authority also manages 4,390 factory tenancies in 29 purpose-built blocks and 5,120 cottages in various districts.

The authority lets about 170 premises on estates for various welfare and community purposes at reduced rentals. 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 let to various government departments including police posts and offices are generally let at near-commercial rents.

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Maintenance and improvements are major items, particularly in the older estates. During the year, some $46 million was spent on contract cleansing and $187 million was spent on maintenance and improvements - mainly painting contracts, planned preventive mainten- ance of buildings and electrical systems, and estate improvements such as recreation areas and lighting.

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 build their own internal and external walls. Facilities provided include concrete hardstanding; home water and electricity supply; central lavatory facilities, usually with water-borne sanitation; paved and grassed common areas; security guards; and comprehensive manage- ment services. Family units are let at a modest, monthly rental of around $7 for each square metre. During the year, a two-storey design was introduced which enables families. to construct a small 'cockloft', or mezzanine floor, thus increasing the numbers of people that can be accommodated in these areas which, although temporary in nature, are land intensive.

At total of 25,700 people, including 5,300 affected by typhoons and fires, moved into temporary housing during the year. This brought to 88,700 the number of people living in the 41 temporary housing areas that are managed throughout the territory by the Housing Authority.

Transit Centres

The Housing Authority also provides short-term accommodation in transit centres for people made homeless by fires or natural disasters. The total capacity of the transit centres is about 1,450 people.