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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority today (January 20) endorsed its Corporate Plan for 2006/07.
The Corporate Plan sets out a programme of work for the authority to meet its strategic objectives in the coming year.
In the past few years, the Housing Authority has been realigning its activities with the Government's repositioned housing policy. It has withdrawn from the provision of home ownership assistance scheme and listed the Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT) in November, 2005, to divest itself of 180 retail and car parking facilities. The core function of the authority now is to provide subsidised rental housing to those who cannot afford to rent accommodations in the private market.
"The Housing Authority will continue to assist Government in maintaining the average waiting time for public rental housing (PRH) at around three years," a spokesman for the authority said.
"In the year ahead, the authority will implement the Total Maintenance Scheme to ensure proper and timely maintenance of the PRH estates. We will spare no effort in combating abuse of public housing resources. We will also provide more transfer opportunities for tenants seeking improvement to their living conditions," the spokesman said.
Another important initiative in this year's Corporate Plan is the review of the domestic rent policy. "We will shortly consult the public on the initial findings of the review. Our objective is to complete the review this year with a view to establishing a rent adjustment framework that reflects more closely tenants' affordability and help to promote the sustainability of the public housing programme," he added.
To address the remaining issues of the previous home ownership schemes, the authority will draw up arrangements for disposal of surplus HOS flats from 2007 onwards.
In respect of construction, the main focus will be on enhancing the sustainability and proper maintenance of existing PRH estates, developing a new strategy for planning retail facilities, rationalising the design of small flats and improving the cost-effectiveness of our building works by adopting new construction technologies and procurement procedures.
On commercial properties, subsequent to the listing of the Link REIT, the authority will strive to enhance the operational efficiency and maximise the economic contribution of the non-divested commercial properties. Key activities include developing a more market-oriented letting strategy, exploring alternative uses for less popular retail premises and car parks and stepping up efforts to reduce both vacancy rate and rent arrears.
Ends/Friday, January 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:30
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