The Hong Kong Housing Department (HD) is taking unprecedented steps to combat public housing resource abuse, recovering over 7,000 rental units in a sweeping effort to ensure fair allocation of scarce housing resources.
In a landmark report released Tuesday, the Office of the Ombudsman praised the Housing Authority’s aggressive approach to identifying and addressing tenancy violations, marking a significant milestone in the city’s public housing management strategy.
Since mid-2023, the department has implemented a multi-pronged approach to tackle housing abuse. Tenants are now required to declare their occupancy status and property ownership every two years, with a sophisticated data verification mechanism integrated with the Land Registry to cross-check claims.
“These measures represent our commitment to maintaining the integrity of public housing,” said a Housing Department spokesperson. “We’re ensuring that limited housing resources reach those who genuinely need them.”
The initiative includes innovative strategies such as establishing a specialized task force composed of retired disciplinary officers to investigate complex tenancy abuse cases. Additionally, the department has introduced an award system for property management companies and security services to encourage proactive detection of violations.
Perhaps most significantly, the government is exploring legislative amendments to criminalize serious tenancy abuse, with proposed bills expected to be presented to the Legislative Council by mid-2025.
The “Report Public Housing Abuse Award” launched on January 15 invites public participation in identifying potential housing policy breaches, further expanding the department’s investigative capabilities.
The Ombudsman’s report validates the Housing Authority’s comprehensive approach, highlighting the recovery of housing units equivalent to an entire large-scale housing estate.
As Hong Kong continues to grapple with housing scarcity, these robust enforcement measures signal a clear message: public housing resources are a precious commodity meant for those most in need.