Bill to criminalize serious housing abuse moving ahead

Marcus Lum

The Housing Authority plans to submit a bill to the Legislative Council aimed at criminalizing serious cases of abuse by the second quarter of this year.

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said yesterday that authorities would review cases using "common sense."

The proposed amendments to the Housing Ordinance were discussed during a Legco panel meeting.

According to documents submitted earlier, the amendments include introducing a fine of HK$500,000 and a one-year imprisonment for violators while also empowering authorized officers to request identification from suspected offenders.

Additionally, the time limit for prosecuting false statements and refusals to provide information will be extended from two years to six years, or within one year after being discovered by an authorized officer. The authority anticipates passing the bill by July after presenting it to Legco in the second quarter. "Making serious public housing abuse a criminal offense will stop people from taking chances [abusing public housing units]," Ho said, adding issues such as tenants renting out their public housing units.

Ho also said the amendments specifically target those who do not reside in the units but exploit them for profit.

She noted that using a unit as a tutoring center might violate tenancy agreements, emphasizing that each case would be examined by the appeal board based on common sense.

Ho added that the amendments could encourage individuals to voluntarily return unused units, allowing officers to execute their duties more effectively.

Meanwhile, Ho visited residents of a transitional housing estate in Yuen Long to enjoy a winter carnival and a poon choi feast that "brought the community together."