ENG-1993 — Page 232

HOUSING

Welfare Services

At the end of the year, 950 welfare premises in the authority's estates and courts were let for welfare and community services at a concessionary rent of $25 per square metre a month. Non-domestic premises at less popular locations were also let at a fair market rate to community organisations.

The authority undertakes fitting-out works for some welfare projects and since 1984, 155 welfare projects have been fitted out.

The estate liaison officer scheme, providing outreaching services to elderly public housing tenants in various estates, has been extended. Under the scheme, housing management staff visit the elderly to offer assistance and encourage them to take part in various activities. Emergency alarm systems for elderly people are also being installed and, by the end of the year, 180 alarm sets had been provided in four estates.

Commercial Properties

The authority manages 1.28 million square metres of commercial space for shops, market stalls, banks, supermarkets, restaurants and flatted factory units. It also provides 65000 carparks.

During the year, 14 more shopping centres with 44 000 square metres of lettable floor area, were built.

The authority's commercial space is let under some 30 300 separate tenancies and generated a rental income of $2.7 billion during the year, representing one-third of the total rental income of the authority.

The stock includes 17660 flatted factory units in 17 flatted factories and 3 400 graded shops in former resettlement estates. These shops were initially let at very low rents which, despite moderate biennial increases since 1976, remain well below market levels.

In line with the policy not to subsidise commercial tenants, rents for commercial premises are fixed at market levels. During the year, 534 commercial premises were let by rental tendering, while another 113 premises with a total floor area of 21 200 square metres were let on negotiated terms. Negotiation provides a more flexible approach and assists in attracting anchor tenants, especially those who take up large spaces for the operation of superstores, Chinese restaurants and food courts.

Following the success of a trial scheme under which an entire market was let to a single operator in Yiu On Estate in Ma On Shan, three new markets were let to single operators. These are Fu Heng Market in Tai Po, Wah Kwai Market in Pok Fu Lam and Tin Shui Market in Tin Shui Wai.

Under a further trial scheme, an entire small shopping centre at Yiu Tung Estate in Shau Kei Wan was to be let to a single operator who would be responsible for comprehensive services from leasing to subsequent day-to-day management.

Improvements to shopping centres continue to play an important role in enhancing the trading potential of the shopping facilities. Such work was underway at 15 shopping centres. In particular, major upgrading schemes were being undertaken at two large district shopping centres at Lok Fu and Wong Tai Sin.

A co-ordinated strategy for the improvement of older shopping centres has been formulated and a five-year programme has been drawn up for the upgrading of 25 to 30 selected centres.

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