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A spokesman for the Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau reiterated today (April 19) that the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, had never given an undertaking that the Government would reduce rent or introduce rental holidays after the Court of Final Appeal dismissed the rent review appeal lodged by a tenant.
"Mr Suen actually said that there would be measures to relieve financial pressure faced by tenants, and that these measures would be considered by the Housing Authority (HA)," the spokesman said.
After the Court of Final Appeal dismissed the appeal, the HA promptly considered a wide range of measures. At the end of last year, a basket of measures had already been put in place to assist tenants in genuine financial hardship.
The eligibility criteria for rental assistance under the Rent Assistance Scheme was relaxed in early March, bringing the number of households eligible for the scheme to about 148,000.
In addition, the HA has implemented improvement measures to enhance the living environment of public rental housing estates to benefit more tenants.
"These measures are only made possible now because the HA is no longer under the threat of an immediate hefty rent reduction as a result of the outcome of the judicial review on public housing rents," the spokesman said.
The HA will spend $688 million on installation of condensation drainpipes for air-conditioners, a lift modernisation programme and plumbing works.
Lift modernisation will be carried out in 31 estates over the next five years. Following the completion of technical feasibility studies, the HA will provide additional lifts in older estates and install lifts in the estates currently without lift services.
Condensation drainpipes for air-conditioners will be installed in 334 blocks in 78 estates over the next four to five years.
With 729 blocks out of a total of 884 having been replumbed, the HA plans to carry out plumbing works at the remaining 155 blocks in 38 estates as soon as possible.
Ends/Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:11
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