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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
In the forthcoming year (2011/12), the Housing Authority (HA) will focus its efforts on providing quality homes, promoting a sustainable living environment, optimising and rationalising the use of resources and enhancing the attractiveness of its commercial properties.
At its regular open meeting today (January 24), the HA Members endorsed the Corporate Plan for 2011/12, which sets out the above four main themes covering a total of 98 key activities and 15 key performance indicators of the HA's work in the year.
"In the forthcoming year, we will continue to closely monitor the demand for public rental housing (PRH) and will adjust the rolling PRH production programme regularly to ensure an adequate supply of flats to keep the average waiting time at around three years," said a spokesman for the HA.
Moreover, the HA will also focus on improving tree management, enhancing the safety of PRH estates and HA's workplaces, encouraging mutual care and support in the community, assisting those who are in financial hardship and making cost-effective use of resources.
On fund management, the HA will keep reviewing its strategies regularly to ensure that a reasonable return over the long term will be generated to meet its expenditure.
Apart from endorsing the 2011/12 Corporate Plan, members also approved the 2010/11 revised budget, the 2011/12 proposed budget and noted the financial forecasts for 2012/13 to 2014/15.
It is expected that the HA will have a surplus in consolidated operating accounts during the budget and forecast periods. The HA's financial position is healthy and sufficient to meet the cost of the projected construction programme during the said period.
The HA will remain mindful of the uncertain economic outlook and the various challenges ahead, and will closely monitor changes in investment return and construction costs in particular.
The financial position of the HA is sound and will remain healthy in the short and medium terms. The HA will continue to manage its finance in a prudent manner to ensure cost-effectiveness in achieving its policy objectives.
Ends/Monday, January 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:48
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