HONG KONG 2005

An elderly person who prefers to live alone can apply for a public rental flat under the Single Elderly Persons Priority Scheme. In 2005, the Government achieved its target of reducing the waiting time for the single elderly to within two years or less. Two or more elderly persons who are willing to live together may apply under the Elderly Persons Priority Scheme. Applicants under the scheme who opt to live in the New Territories will also normally be allocated flats within two years.

There are two priority schemes for public rental flats which encourage families to live with and take care of their elderly relatives. Applicants with elderly parents or dependent relatives aged 60 or above under the Families with Elderly Persons Priority Scheme will have their flat allocation advanced by up to three years. Those who apply under the Special Scheme for Families with Elderly Persons for two separate flats in the same estate in the new towns will have their flat allocation advanced by up to two years.

Under a pilot scheme called the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme, the HKHS launched two projects in Tseung Kwan O and Jordan Valley in August 2003 and September 2004 respectively, providing purpose-built housing with integrated health care facilities for senior citizens in the middle-income group. The units in the projects are leased to eligible senior citizens on a 'lease-for-life' basis in line with the concepts of 'healthy ageing' and 'ageing in place'.

The number of squatters and squatter structures has been reduced in recent years through rehousing and clearance programmes. The criteria for rehousing squatters after clearance have been relaxed. Since December 2002, families who have resided in registered squatter structures for two years and met the prescribed income and assets limits have been rehoused in public rental flats. Squatters who wish to 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.

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.

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.