ENG-1984 — Page 208

11

EIM

Housing

―

For many years housing has been given a high priority in the allocation of public funds and 1984 was no exception. The development and maintenance of subsidised public housing continued to receive about one-third of the total public capital expenditure and one-tenth of the annual recurrent expenditure. Public housing – both rental and home ownership - now accommodates 2.5 million people, some 45 per cent of Hong Kong's population.

During the year, the Housing Authority produced a record 36 440 new units, which meant that for the fifth year in succession it had exceeded its annual construction target of 35 000 units.

While public housing production has increased more than fourfold in 10 years, the achievements in quality are no less impressive and residents of modern public housing estates now live in comfortable and well-designed homes in pleasant landscaped environ- ments, where schools, shopping complexes, community facilities, parks, transport inter- changes and sports facilities are provided.

To ensure that policies are geared to the needs of the public, a wide cross-section of the community is represented on the policy-making body - the Housing Authority. Unofficials serving as members of the authority include Urban Councillors, district board members, professionals and public housing tenants. Reviews of housing needs and policies are a continuing process but 1984 would be remembered as the year in which the Housing Authority took stock of its achievements and the public's aspirations, and undertook the most comprehensive review of its public housing allocation policies to date.

A consultative document - published in April - covered the authority's policies on the rehousing of squatters, rental housing for small households, well-off tenants in public housing, measures to promote home ownership, additions of married children and their families to tenancies and inheritance of public rental flats. The consultative document listed the pros and cons of the possible options on each issue and encouraged an uninhibited and lively discussion at meetings of district boards, mutual aid committees, community organisations and professional associations.

Throughout the consultation process, comments and suggestions on the allocation policies and the options listed were collected from the 18 district boards, from hundreds of organisations and individuals, and from the media. In addition, a public attitude survey on housing matters, which included the options contained in the consultative document, was conducted and the views of 2 000 household members aged 16 to 65 were gathered. Due consideration was given to the views expressed and consequently several far-reaching changes of policy were adopted. These included: allowing single persons to apply for specially designed units in rental housing, with priority given to those living in temporary housing areas; allowing two-person families to apply for both rental and Home Ownership Scheme flats; and the provision of additional non-financial