*********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority's Subsidised Housing Committee today (July 27) decided to gradually phase out the Housing for Senior Citizen (HSC) surplus by converting them to normal public rental housing (PRH) flats or other use to address the vacancy problem.
ˇ§By converting the under-utilised HSC units, invaluable housing resources can be put to fuller use and in turn more PRH applicants will benefit,ˇ¨ committee chairman Mr Michael Choi Ngai-min said.
HSC is a hostel type of PRH with 24-hour warden service but shared toilet and kitchen facilities. Since the late 90s, the overall vacancy rate of HSC has been high as the result of PRH applicants' preference for self-contained flats and much increased supply of small flats.
The refusal rate of the flats has also remained high and they cannot be disposed of even through the Express Flat Allocation Scheme. New HSC vacancies continue to be surrendered by sitting tenants.
Although a decision was made in November, 2000, to stop the further production of HSC, the overall vacancy rate of HSC remained constantly on the high side at 15% of the total stock.
ˇ§There is a need to draw up a strategic plan to address the diminishing demand for this hostel type of accommodation but we must also bear in mind that sufficient stock will be retained to ensure that demand for such hostel type of PRH will be adequately met,ˇ¨ Mr Choi said.
In identifying suitable HSC for conversion into other fuller usage, priority consideration will be given to:-
* HSC with a higher vacancy rate of more than 30% or 50% depending on the type of design ;
* HSC of HS1 design (constructed by partitioning a normal PRH flat into smaller units) with another HSC in a neighbouring block to trim down the overall HSC vacancies in the same estate ;
* The design of the HSC since it is easier to convert HS1 design back into normal PRH flats ; and
* The age profile of the tenants, and to plan conversion for HSC with more than half the residents aged 70 or above so that more senior tenants can have access to self-contained PRH flats at an earlier opportunity if they so wish.
ˇ§As an incentive, Domestic Removal Allowance (DRA) will be granted to encourage voluntary joining of the relocation programme,ˇ¨ Mr Choi said, adding that tenants affected would be arranged accommodation in their preferred locality if resources permit.
Stressing that a very cautious, user-friendly and customer-focused approach would be adopted, Mr Choi said that a survey would be conducted to understand sitting tenantsˇ¦ special needs and preferences. Co-ordination and co-operation with the Social Welfare Department and other elderly service agencies would be lined up to render necessary assistance and the best service possible to the affected elderly HSC residents.
ˇ§The authority will continue to cope with the needs of the elderly and provide suitable accommodation. Adequate self-contained single-person flats should be available to meet their demand as seen from the PRH supply forecast for the coming years,ˇ¨ Mr Choi said.
Ends/Thursday, July 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:12
NNNN