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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) today (January 23) endorsed its Corporate Plan for 2007/08.
The Corporate Plan sets out 80 key activities of the HA in 2007/08.
"The HA will continue to ensure the public rental housing (PRH) resources are rationally allocated and assist Government in maintaining the average waiting time for PRH at around three years," a spokesman for the HA said.
"An important task for the coming year is to follow up the recommendations set out in the Report on the Review of Domestic Rent Policy endorsed by the HA on November 27, 2006. Amongst the most important recommendations is to put in place a more rational, flexible and sustainable rent adjustment mechanism which provides for both upward and downward adjustment in PRH rent according to the changes in PRH tenants' household income," he said.
Proper disposal of the surplus Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats would be another key activity of the HA for the coming year. The HA offered a total of 3 056 surplus flats in the first phase of sale in January 2007 and would continue to put up the remaining surplus HOS flats for sale in an orderly manner.
On the construction front, the HA will optimise the development potential of PRH sites, design and build PRH in accordance with the principles of sustainability and cost-effectiveness with a view to enhancing the sustainability of the public housing development programme.
The HA will continue to implement the Total Maintenance Scheme and the Structural Investigation Programme in aged PRH estates to ensure the timely and proper maintenance of the PRH stock. The HA will also take measures to reduce the vacancy rate and rent arrears of domestic units.
Furthermore, the HA will strive to enhance the operational efficiency of its commercial facilities, enhance the letting rate and tackle the problem of rent arrears. It will also develop a suitable mode of providing retail and other ancillary facilities in newly completed estates to meet community needs.
On financial management, the HA will monitor and from time to time review its investment strategy and fund management framework. The objective is to maintain a sound financial position and fund management system.
Ends/Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:21
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