The HA said that from its findings, it established that 15 applicants (12 per cent) were living in a substandard environment and 13 applicants (10 per cent) lived in premises that were considered inadequate for habitation.

The 590 were selected out of a total of 643 applicants under the following categories: Families with children (A), engaged couples (B), single applicants over 30-years-old, single disabled applicants and single applicants over 18-years-old who came out of an institute to live independently (C).

There were 127 (21.5 per cent) in the first category, 430 (72.9 per cent) in the second and 33 in the final three sub-categories (5.6 per cent).

Of the 590 set to benefit from the scheme, 71 in category A have been allocated a place under the sale issue and 49 category Bs and six category Cs have also been allotted a place. The fact that 71 families have been allocated a place showed that a number of children have benefited from this sale issue. In fact, a total of 82 children have indirectly benefited with their parents in this sale issue, said a spokesman.

Other information gathered was related to the number of applicants who are disabled. A total of eight disabled people have been allotted a place under this sale issue. The majority of these have benefited under category B – engaged couples.

Five applicants have been allotted under category B and three applicants have been allotted under category A (families with children).

In this sale issue there was only one applicant who had left an institution and had been allotted a place.

The majority of the applicants who have been allotted a place under this sale issue are in employment (31.7 per cent – male and 36.5 per cent – female). The mean total family income was Lm4,270. The minimum was Lm1,172 and the maximum was Lm7,588.

Further analysis of the total family income showed that 35 per cent of the applicants earned more than Lm5,000. However, the majority of applicants (22 per cent) earn between Lm3,001 and Lm4,000. There are only three applicants who have a total family income that exceeds Lm7,000.

Data was collected regarding the number of applicants who are sharing accommodation. A high number of 43 applicants (34 per cent) had been sharing accommodation and were allotted a place under this sale issue.

Other housing conditions explored included substandard premises and premises that are inadequate for habitation. A total of 15 applicants (12 per cent) were living in a substandard environment and 13 applicants (10 per cent) lived in premises that were considered inadequate for habitation.

Of the applicants who have been allotted a place, 41 had been renting. Therefore, 32.5 per cent of applicants had been renting accommodation before benefiting under this sale issue.