ENG-2004 — Page 268

222 Housing

Since the Government's announcement on the repositioning of its housing policy, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA)2 realigned its activities with the new policy agenda and priorities to focus on the provision of public rental housing. It has ceased the sale and construction of the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats, terminated the Home Assistance Loan Scheme (HALS) and identified alternative uses for surplus subsidised sale flats.

Institutional Framework

Following a comprehensive review of the institutional framework for housing policy, a reconstituted Housing Department integrates the policy and operational responsibilities by providing public housing, procuring services from the private sector and assessing the eligibility for public housing assistance. It continues to provide secretariat and executive support to the HKHA and its committees to enable them to discharge their duties effectively. The Department also monitors developments in the private housing market, and oversees policy matters relating to the regulation of estate agents.

The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands is the Principal Official responsible for overall housing matters. He also acts as Chairman of the HKHA to help forge a closer collaboration between the HKHA and the Government for housing services. He is underpinned by the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Housing), who also heads the Housing Department.

Public Rental Housing

Under the new policy framework, the provision of assistance to those in genuine. need continues to lie at the heart of the Government's housing policy. The Government ensures that all those who cannot afford adequate accommodation in the private market have access to subsidised PRH. It is committed to maintaining the average waiting time for PRH at around three years and ensuring that there is an adequate supply of PRH through a rolling construction programme run by the HKHA. The actual quantum of PRH units to be built is adjusted regularly to take account of the housing demand of low-income families and the turnover in tenancies.

To ensure cost-effectiveness in the delivery of public housing, the HKHA has reviewed the design standards and finishes for new public rental housing by supporting the concept of a 'functional and cost-effective' design. The revised design concept has resulted in substantial reductions in construction costs for new public housing development projects.

2 The HKHA, established in 1973, is a statutory body responsible for implementing the majority of Hong Kong's public housing programmes. It plans and builds public housing for renting to low- income people. It manages public rental housing estates, interim housing, transit centres, flatted factories and ancillary commercial and community facilities. It acts as the Government's agent for clearing land, preventing squatting and implementing improvements in squatter areas.