ENG-1993 — Page 227

190

HOUSING

Allocation

In 1993, 27 500 new flats and 12 600 vacated flats were let to the various categories of eligible applicants.

The largest allocation of some 14 500 flats (36 per cent) went to waiting list applicants. Applicants for public housing rentals through the waiting list are considered in the order of their registration and in accordance with their choice of districts. Accommodation is offered to those who, on investigation, are found eligible in respect of their family income and residence in Hong Kong. The income limits range from $7,600 for a family of two, to $20,000 for a family of 10 or more. The number of applications at the end of the year stood at 151 000. In addition, there were 19 000 applications on the single-person waiting list, established in January 1985. The income limit for single persons is $4,600.

The next largest group allocated flats were tenants affected by the comprehensive redevelopment programme (30 per cent), followed by families affected by development clearance (10 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, and com- passionate cases recommended by the Social Welfare Department.

Computerisation of information on about 3.5 million applicants and tenants now enables housing allocation and duplication checks to be carried out effectively. It also produces useful statistical information.

Housing the Elderly

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. During the year, 1700 people were rehoused under this scheme, bringing to 800 the number of flats allocated under this category.

Under a separate incentive scheme, families with elderly persons are allocated housing two years ahead of their normal waiting time. So far, 7 500 families have benefited from this scheme.

Since the introduction of the sheltered housing scheme in 1987, more than 2 000 housing units have been provided for able-bodied elderly persons aged 60 years or over who are self-reliant and independent. A warden service is also provided to deal with emergency situations.

Cases in which a higher level of health care is required are referred to the Social Welfare Department for transfer to more suitable housing.

Home Ownership Scheme

The Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) was established in 1978 to provide flats for sale at prices below market value to lower and middle-income families and public housing tenants. Since then, 191 800 flats have been sold to eligible families. This figure includes 61 500 flats produced under the complementary Private Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS), which aims to make more use of the resources of the private sector to produce flats for sale at subsidised prices.

About 45 per cent of the families who bought under the schemes were public housing tenants who were required to surrender their rental flats in return.