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In response to press enquires, a Government spokesman said today (October 12): "In paragraph 94 of this year's Policy Address, the Chief Executive pledged that public rental flats will be offered to low income elderly families (comprising one or more elderly persons) living in non-self-contained private flats or temporary structures.

"At present, the average waiting time for public rental flats for elderly families is over three years. We confirm that all such elderly families who are not yet on the waiting list, but who meet the eligibility criteria and submit their applications by the end of March next year will be offered public rental flats by the end of 2003. This is an improvement on the present position," he said.

End/Thursday, October 12, 2000

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