Gov’t receives 452 submissions on basic housing units before consultation ends Mon

The government garnered 452 public opinions regarding regulations on basic housing units, with the two-month consultation period concluding next Monday (Feb 10), Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said.

In his Facebook posting on Tuesday, Wong said the Housing Bureau has been doing a lot of work during the consultation period, including holding 35 meetings and meeting with 540 people as of the end of last month.

“Among over 540 people, politicians, scholars, professional groups, non-governmental organizations and subdivided flats concern groups expressed their views on solving the subdivided flats issues,” Wong said.

Wong said 452 relevant written opinions were also received and will be carefully considered and studied.

Wong, who heads the Task Force on Tackling the Issue of Subdivided Units, also said he met with Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin and lawmakers from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, including Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, Chan Hok-Fung and Brave Chan Yung.

During the meeting, Wong said he received the party’s proposal, and listened to their concerns on the minimum standard of the units, grace period and the concerns from landlords and tenants.

After the meeting, Cheng said subdivided units landlords are concerned about the requirement of installing at least one openable window facing outdoor per flat as it is difficult to modify existing flats.

Landlords worried that the requirement would lower the provision of subdivided flats, Cheng said, adding that he inquired whether there is room for revising the requirement in the meeting.

Cheng suggested the bureau set up show flats of basic housing units, also referring to the Urban Renewal Authority’s Building Rehabilitation Resource Centre, to establish a consultation platform to allow landlords and tenants for further enquiries on issues arising from the implementation of the regulatory system.