Subdivided flat task force convenes first meeting as deputy finance chief vows ‘careful’ planning

The Task Force on Tackling the Issue of Subdivided Units, headed by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, convened the first meeting on Friday. 

The task force’s deputy head is Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin. Other members include Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan and representatives from other government departments. 

At the meeting, members discussed the overall direction of the task force’s work, as well as the upcoming work plan and arrangements. 

Bureaus and departments also shared preliminary issues of concern such as enforcement and regulation targeted at subdivided flats, overcharging for water and electricity, fire safety, transitional and follow-up arrangements in relation to eradicating subdivided flats, collection of relevant data, efforts on poverty alleviation, etc. 

The task force will conduct an in-depth study on the comprehensive handling of the issue of subdivided flats. 

It will also make recommendations in 10 months’ time along the directions of setting the minimum standards of living conditions in terms of building safety, fire safety and hygiene; suggesting measures to eradicate and prevent the resurgence of substandard subdivided flats. 

The task force will also put forward solutions to address the problem in an orderly manner, covering necessary administrative and legislative proposals. 

"The issue of subdivided flats involves the well-being of tens of thousands of families. Tackling such an issue is hardly a short-term target which can be achieved overnight,” Wong said. 

“The government will plan carefully, taking into account views from society with a view to proposing measures which can precisely resolve the subdivided issue,” he added.