ABOUT 2,000 mainly elderly men could remain caged in their tiny bedspaces for two more years as a government rehousing scheme failed to meet its target.
The Home Affairs Department, whose responsibility it is to resettle cagemen, has also been forced to delay licensing 150 caged homes.
The Bedspace Apartment Ordinance, passed in April 1994, requires operators of caged homes to improve living conditions and comply with fire and building safety laws before gaining a licence. Operators were allowed a grace period of two years.
The department estimates about 1,000 cagemen will be moved to public flats under compassionate rehousing. The rest will be rehoused in government hostels for single people or remain in their bedspace apartments after improvements.
Director of Home Affairs Shelley Lau Lee Lai-keun yesterday admitted her department had failed to provide 'sufficient single hostel places' by the end of last year, as scheduled.
'We are looking for suitable units to buy on the private market and it takes time,' Ms Lau said.
