Hong Kong authorities have pledged to reserve nearly a fifth of the city’s 21,000 transitional homes for tenants displaced by a new law regulating subdivided flats, with the housing chief downplaying concerns about a potential wave of evictions under the policy. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin offered the assurance on Sunday after more than…
Any potential Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle will take place only after the investigation into the deadly Tai Po blaze wraps up, sources have told the Post, following a media report suggesting two ministers were set to step down. A government spokesman on Thursday did not deny the report suggesting that Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho…
Members of Hong Kong’s Housing Authority have urged the government to clarify how a proposal to resettle residents displaced by the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po at a site designated for public rental flats will not impact the thousands currently on the waiting list. They made the call on Monday during a…
The crackdown on public housing abuse in Hong Kong has received broad public support as more rental units were recovered and reassigned to those with genuine need. But as more tenants are evicted for flouting the rules, there have also been calls for greater sensitivity in handling families with special needs. The sad outcome of…
Hong Kong’s housing minister has pledged to adopt a more “humane” approach to eviction cases involving tenants with mental health issues, following the deaths of a mother and son, and plans to appoint additional medical experts to an appeal panel. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said on Tuesday that the department would “seriously review…
Hong Kong will build more subsidised homes in its new I&T hub near the border with mainland China to cater to the increasing needs of middle-class families and align with the city’s strategy to attract top talent, the housing minister has said. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin also outlined her plans to make public…
Hong Kong’s housing minister has urged the owners of substandard subdivided flats to comply with a coming regulatory regime that is expected to cost landlords after years of huge profits. The appeal from Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin on Sunday came two days after the government gazetted the Basic Housing Units Bill, which aims…
Hong Kong lawmakers have approved the government’s proposal to criminalise the subletting of public rental flats or the use of such properties for business purposes, with the offence to carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a HK$500,000 (US$63,700) fine. Lawmakers on Wednesday voted on the Housing (Amendment) Bill, which introduces new…