***************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) is determined to fulfill the policy objectives of maintaining the average waiting time for general public rental housing (PRH) applicants at around three years and improving its housing estates, notwithstanding the recent global financial crisis and uncertainties in the economic outlook.
At a regular open meeting today (January 22), members of the HA scrutinised and endorsed the Corporate Plan for 2009/10. In pointing out that the current volatile investment environment would pose challenges to returns on the HA's investments, a spokesman for the HA gave the assurance that "in the forthcoming year, the HA will closely monitor factors affecting PRH demand and will adjust its rolling PRH construction programme regularly to ensure an adequate supply of PRH flats to keep the average waiting time at around three years."
"We will be vigilant about making cost-effective service delivery in our construction programme as well as the management and maintenance of our properties", he said.
The 2009/10 Corporate Plan sets out the four main themes under which the HA will concentrate its efforts in the coming year. These are "In pursuit of quality home", "Living in harmony", "Rational and effective use of public resources" and "Optimising the use of commercial properties". A total of 92 key activities and 15 key performance indicators have been devised under these themes.
In 2009/10, the HA will enhance its work on public engagement in the PRH delivery process, and implement a life cycle maintenance strategy to meet the needs of PRH estates with different age profiles. The HA will also continue to promote mutual family and neighbourhood support through enhanced policies and collaboration with the Estate Management Advisory Committees and non-government organisations.
Apart from endorsing the 2009/10 Corporate Plan, members also approved the 2008/09 revised budget and 2009/10 proposed budget. The financial forecasts for 2010/11 to 2012/13 were also noted. According to the estimates in the HA's budgets and forecasts, the HA has sufficient financial resources to implement its public housing programme.
The HA will continue to keep under review its investment strategy and ensure cost-effective use of its resources in meeting the policy objectives.
Ends/Thursday, January 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:46
NNNN
