ENG-2005 — Page 259

Housing 1 217

move out voluntarily can apply for public housing through the General Waiting List. For those who wish to stay put, the Government provides and maintains basic facilities in the existing squatter area under the Squatter Area Improvement Programme to ensure that basic safety and hygiene standards are met.

Rooftop Structures

The Buildings Department drew up a seven-year clearance programme in April 2001 to clear 12 000 illegal rooftop structures in 4 500 single-staircase buildings. Rooftop dwellers are encouraged to register on the waiting list for public rental housing. Occupants affected by enforcement action against illegal structures are rehoused in public rental housing, including interim housing, according to their eligibility. In 2005, about 2 000 people affected by rooftop clearance were relocated.

Redevelopment

In 2005, some 3 340 households living in housing blocks due for redevelopment at Wong Chuk Hang and Shek Kip Mei Estates were rehoused. Since the launching of the HKHA's Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme in 1988, 535 housing blocks. have been redeveloped and the living conditions of some 182 090 households have been improved.

Housing Supply

A total of 42 000 residential units were completed in 2005, of which 17 000 were private sector homes (excluding village housing) and 25 000 public rental housing flats.

Supporting Infrastructure

The bulk of the infrastructure needed to support housing developments has always been provided in a programmed and structured manner. To avoid delaying housing developments due to the lack of infrastructure facilities, the Government has adopted fast-track measures to ensure early delivery of these projects. From 1995 to 2005, there were 57 such projects and 50 have already been completed. The remaining seven projects, with a total project estimate of about $2.7 billion, are at various stages of implementation.

Private Sector Housing

Private Residential Property Sales and Prices

Despite the marked upsurge in the first quarter, the private residential property market had a rollercoaster ride in 2005. Largely due to strong market activity in the first quarter, the total transactions registered increased by 3 per cent from 100 630 in 2004 to 103 362 in 2005, the highest level since 1997. The overall residential price index at the end of 2005 rose 6 per cent over the previous year.

Tenancy Control

The Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2004 took effect on July 9, 2004, putting an end to security of tenure for domestic tenancies and the statutory minimum notice requirement for terminating non-domestic