Govt reclaims 8,000 public housing units in abuse crackdown, saving $8bn

The government has reclaimed about 8,000 public rental housing (PRH) units, which involves HK$8 billion, as of February amid the stepped-up efforts launched two and a half years ago to curb housing abuse.

Speaking in an interview, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin noted that the HK$1.55 billion subsidy will be reduced after the authorities tighten the policies for well-off tenants by raising the additional rent and lowering the income limit.

The housing chief added that the subsidy savings would instead be used for housing maintenance and the development of more public housing.

Meanwhile, Ho stressed that tenants should not remain in their comfort zones, as those with income levels exceeding four times the income limit after two declaration cycles must vacate their flats.

She also mentioned the importance of subsidized sale flats, particularly for well-off tenants who fail to qualify for public rental flats but cannot afford private housing.

In addition, Ho pointed out that 55,000 subsidized flats will be available in the next five years, including those from the Hong Kong Housing Society.

She believed well-off households would be encouraged to purchase these flats, especially when combined with units from the second-hand market of the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS).

(Judy Cui)