Supply-led approach long term housing strategy
July 25, 2013
The housing strategy for the next 10 years will be a supply-led approach with the Government taking a proactive role in the provision of public and subsidised housing.
This was the message from Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung after chairing the Long Term Housing Strategy Steering Committee's 10th meeting today.
Prof Cheung said members agreed the ratio between public and private housing should be 60/40 for new provisions in the coming years.
The committee feels the main problem with Hong Kong housing today is "under supply", so the Government should do more in providing public housing, including rented public housing and Home Ownership Scheme units, as well as subsidised housing provided by the Housing Society.
The committee said the Government should take a more proactive role in housing supply, and the community expects the same.
Prof Cheung said the committee has not yet finalised the consultation paper, but it aims to launch it in September for a three-month public consultation.
Also considered at the meeting where other issues, such as how to respond to the housing needs of households living in subdivided units, and single people.
They discussed whether to make use of spare land in public housing estates to develop blocks for single tenants. Prof Cheung said it will depend on how much suitable land can be identified and the possible effect on the concerned estates, and the public’s views.
The committee also explored the possibility of adjusting the current quota and point system to speed up the waiting time for public housing, but members felt priority should be given to family applicants.
On the introduction of a registration or licensing system for sub-divided units, Prof Cheung said a very preliminary discussion has been conducted, adding that any such system is aimed at ensuring the safety of those units, including structural safety, compliance with Buildings Ordinance requirements, and fire safety.
On the overall supply target for the next 10 years, the previous estimation of 447,000 is still valid but there was extensive discussion on the target today. The committee will decide whether it needs adjusting. The target, and the methodology to reach the target, will be put forward in the final consultation document, he added.
