The ultimate solution to the problems of proliferating sub-divided units and rent hikes lies in continuously increasing land and housing supply.
The Transport & Housing Bureau made the statement after Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung met the Society for Community Organisation and grassroots representatives yesterday to discuss housing matters.
The bureau said housing is the Government's top priority, noting many families are still living in sub-divided units or similar settings and their living conditions must be improved.
On suggestions that tenancy control could be a way out, the bureau said tenancy control is highly controversial and there is no community consensus on this issue.
Empirical findings, both local and overseas, suggest an array of unintended effects the implementation of tenancy control might bring, some of which are detrimental to tenants.
As there is no community consensus, and in view of the current tight housing supply in Hong Kong, the introduction of tenancy control might backfire, causing tenants in general to suffer before they can actually benefit from it, the bureau added.
On the proposal to provide transitional housing on sites which do not have immediate uses, the Government looked into the possibility when formulating the Long Term Housing Strategy announced in 2014. The idea was deemed impracticable after careful examination.
To resolve Hong Kong’s housing problem in a down-to-earth manner, the community as a whole must face the issue together and make the necessary trade-offs and choices, the bureau added.
