Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong today convened the first meeting of the Government’s new Task Force on Tackling the Issue of Subdivided Units. 

The Chief Executive announced the establishment of the task force in the 2023 Policy Address. Mr Wong heads the task force, which will conduct an in-depth study of the issue of subdivided units (SDUs) and make recommendations along four directions in 10 months’ time.

The four directions are: setting minimum standards for living conditions in SDUs in terms of building safety, fire safety, hygiene requirements, living space and more; suggesting measures to eradicate substandard SDUs; preventing the resurgence of substandard SDUs; and putting forward solutions in the form of administrative and legislative proposals.

At today’s meeting, task force members discussed the overall direction of its work as well as upcoming tasks and arrangements.

Bureaus and departments shared their concerns in relation to matters such as enforcement of regulations, overcharging for water and electricity, fire safety, arrangements for eradicating SDUs, data collection, and poverty alleviation.

Mr Wong said the issue of SDUs involves the wellbeing of tens of thousands of families and tackling it is unlikely to be achieved overnight.

“Yet, as the saying goes, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’”, he added. “The task force wastes no time and starts work right away.”

Mr Wong stressed that the Government will take into account views from the public before proposing measures to resolve the issue.

Click here to view the membership of the task force.