A review by the Housing Department in June this year has indicated that the total public housing production over the 1991/92 - 2000/01 decade is expected to reach 457,665 fiats by 2001, representing an increase of 8,519 fiats over the figure forecast in March.

The Housing Authority's Development Committee today (Thursday) noted that the increase was largely the result of the irjection of new sites at Tin Shui Wai Reserve Zone.

"As a result, the shortfall of land requirement dropped from 38 hectares in March to 27 hectares in June this year, with total production falling short of the Long Term Housing Strategy target by 14,966 flats," a spokesman for the Authority said.

"But actual production will depend on the timely commencement of construction work and the possible slippage of housing sites", he stressed.

"The department is looking at a number of potential housing sites with a view to increasing housing production," he added. "They include THA sites, sites proposed by the Task Force on Land Supply and Property Prices and Military sites," the spokesman said.

He also explained that while the deferral of a number of projects pending the relaxation of airport height restriction would not lead to a loss of production, it would have a bunching effect in 1999 to 2001.

"The Housing Department is exploring the possibility of further optimizing land use in consultation with government departments," the spokesman said.

"Some of the ideas being considered include raising the height of standard domestic blocks and increasing the development ratio," he noted. 

On the progress of infill site development, the spokesman said that estimated production from the 21 sites before 1999/2000 had becn revised from 9,230 to 9,700 flats. This is because of an extension of the Sheung Shing Street site while production at Wan Hon Street has been increased at detailed design stage.

"Seven projects are under construction while the remainder will start before April 1996," he said.

End/Thursday, September 7, 1995
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