ENG-1993 — Page 233

196

HOUSING

Parking

Since 1987, carparks and roads in 55 estates have been placed under the management of three private companies. In view of its success, the privatisation scheme will be extended to the authority's other rental estates.

Illegal parking in public housing estates remains a problem requiring constant attention. During the year, 18 800 offenders were prosecuted, resulting in fines totalling $5.3 million. Some 77 000 vehicles were impounded, costing the owners $15.5 million in charges.

As a further means to combat illegal parking, a recently approved fixed penalty ticket system will be introduced in 1994.

Squatter Control

=

As a result of rehousing through clearance and the waiting list, the squatter population has been reduced to 42 500 in the urban area and 223 000 in the New Territories.

The 1982 squatter structure survey provides a baseline for control of new squatting on government land and private agricultural land. Squatter control has been effectively maintained by carrying out daily patrols and regular hut-to-hut checks.

-

Meanwhile, the authority continues to undertake repairs and maintenance of services and facilities provided under the squatter area improvement programme. It is also responsible for settling electricity charges for public lights installed under this programme.

Squatter Clearance

During the year, 270 hectares of land were cleared, with 11000 affected people given permanent rehousing and 6500 given temporary rehousing. Some 300 industrial, commercial and agricultural undertakings affected by the clearances were awarded ex gratia allowances.

On the advice of the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering Department, which carried out re-inspections of 70 villages in the New Territories, a non-development clearance programme was drawn up. Some 1200 persons living in squatter huts on slopes vulnerable to landslips, in the event of heavy rain, were provided with either permanent or temporary housing.

A total of 2000 people who lost their homes as a result of fires or natural disasters were given either permanent or temporary housing.

Temporary Housing

Temporary Housing Areas (THAs) consist of single or two-storey structures built to re-house people not yet eligible for permanent public housing upon clearance, fires or natural disasters.

There were 52 THAs in the territory, housing some 62 000 persons. In the next three years, 37 THAs will be cleared and 48 500 persons living in them will be rehoused.

The government aims to offer flats to all THA residents by 1997. By 1996, all THAs built before 1984 should be cleared.

Transit Centres

There were eight transit centres in the territory, with a capacity for 1 300 people. Transit centres provide short-term emergency accommodation for the homeless and victims of fires or natural disasters.