ENG-1991 — Page 227

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HOUSING

During the year, 38 000 new flats and 14 000 vacated flats were let to the various categories of eligible applicants. The biggest share went to Waiting List applicants (38 per cent), followed by tenants affected by the redevelopment of the older blocks and in the comprehensive redevelopment programme (29 per cent), and families affected by development clearance (13 per cent).

The remainder of the flats went to junior civil servants, victims of fires and natural disasters, occupants of huts and other structures in dangerous locations, compassionate cases recommended by the Social Welfare Department, those families affected by the Kowloon Walled City clearance and applicants from temporary housing areas.

The Public Housing Waiting List and allocation of rental flats have been computerised, and information on nearly three million applicants and tenants has been stored in the Housing Applications and Tenancies Management Information System. The system enables housing allocation and duplication checks to be carried out effectively and produces useful statistical information.

During the year, 20 000 flats, mainly in Tuen Mun, Tseung Kwan O, Tai Po and Fanling, were allocated to successful Waiting List applicants. Waiting time varied from four years for estates in Tseung Kwan O to one year for those in Tuen Mun.

Applicants for public rental housing through the Waiting List were considered in the order of registration and in accordance with the choice of districts indicated by applicants. Accommodation was offered to those who, on investigation, were found eligible in respect of their family income and residence in Hong Kong. The income limits range from $5,100 for a family of two to $13,100 for a family of 10 or more. The number of 'live' applications at the end of the year stood at 131 400. In addition, there were 28 300 applications on the Single Persons Waiting List established in January 1985. The income limit for single persons is $3,200.

A priority scheme is provided under which elderly couples or single elderly persons applying in groups of two or more will be allocated public housing within two years. So far, 7 000 flats have been allocated to this category.

There is also an incentive scheme by which families with elderly persons are allocated housing two years ahead of their normal waiting time. So far, 6 200 families have benefited from this scheme.

In 1986, the authority introduced a sheltered housing scheme with a warden service for able-bodied elderly people. In 1991, several sheltered housing projects were open at Tak Tin Estate in Kowloon Central, Cheung Hang Estate in Tsing Yi, Tin King Estate in Tuen Mun, Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po, Wah Ming Estate in Fanling and King Lam Estate in Tseung Kwan O for applicants attaining 60 years of age who were eligible under the compulsory rehousing categories, and to qualified elderly applicants from the Single Persons Waiting List and the Elderly Persons Priority Scheme.

Sitting Tenants

An ad hoc committee was set up by the Housing Authority to study the feasibility of a sales scheme by which public rental flats were offered for sale to eligible sitting tenants. A three-month public consultation exercise was conducted early in the year and the scheme was generally welcomed by the public.

After approval from the Executive Council and Land Commission was obtained, the scheme was implemented in August. A total of 6 897 tenants from 11 selected blocks in