ENG-1996 — Page 255

HOUSING

As an incentive to attract more public housing tenants to buy property and give up their rental flats for reallocation, the scheme was enhanced in 1995 with a considerable increase in the amount of interest-free loan and non-repayable monthly subsidy granted to eligible applicants. The loan and the monthly subsidy given to public housing tenants were $600,000 and $5,100 respectively, while those for private sector applicants were $400,000 and $3,400 respectively. This offer remains effective for the financial year 1996-97. So far, 16 708 loans and 975 subsidies have been granted. As a result, 10 035 public housing rental units have been recovered.

Construction

The Housing Authority continued its building programme during the year with the completion of 17 118 new rental and 11 375 Home Ownership flats. At the end of the year, 167 791 flats were under construction. Harmony blocks, first introduced in 1992, are now a familiar sight throughout the territory.

Construction was undertaken both for new estates in New Towns such as Tin Shui Wai, Tseung Kwan O and Tung Chung, and for the redevelopment of older estates within existing urban areas. Production targets are set to rise further in future. The authority is stepping up construction work. About 300 000 flats are programmed for completion between 1996/97 and 2000/01.

New Block Designs

In its continued quest for better flat designs and environment for the community, the authority introduced during the year a new range of standard blocks, Concord 1 and 2, for the Home Ownership Scheme. The Concord blocks incorporate and improve on the Harmony block and New Cruciform block designs to offer buyers a more spacious living area and a higher standard of choices of fitting-out and finishes. Concord 1 has 41 storeys with eight units per floor, and Concord 2, 31 storeys with six units per floor. The units will range from 46 square metre two-bedroom to 61 square metre three-bedroom flats. Standard features will include an en-suite shower- room and bathroom in larger flats and fully-fitted kitchens and bathroom.

The first building contract to include a Concord block commenced in Fanling in 1996. Completion is expected in early 1999. Parallel to the development of the Concord designs, the existing Harmony and New Cruciform Blocks were being upgraded to a similar standard, with improved finishes and fittings in kitchens, bathrooms, public areas and lifts.

Redevelopment

Redevelopment projects are in progress at Yau Tong, Kwun Tong (Lei Yue Mun Road), Lam Tin, Sau Mau Ping, Tsz Man, Upper Ngau Tau Kok, Valley Road, Pak Tin, Shek Lei, Kwai Fong, Kwai Chung, Chai Wan and Shek Pai Wan Estate. The old blocks evacuated in the year under the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme include blocks at Chai Wan, Sau Mau Ping, Upper Wong Tai Sin, Tsz Oi, Tsz Ching, Shek Lei and Shek Yam Estate and the demolition works started in February. The development will improve the environment in these estates for 35 117 people.

Since the launching of the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme in 1988, 321 housing blocks in older estates have been redeveloped, improving the living

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