In tandem with the implementation of the Basic Housing Unit (BHU) regulatory regime, the Housing Bureau announced today that residents of subdivided units (SDUs) with imminent short-term rehousing needs can apply for transitional housing (TH) as Category C tenants starting October 3.

With the new regime taking effect from March 1 next year, SDU residents may be affected due to the need for alteration works in SDUs for obtaining BHU recognition, or the enforcement actions carried out by the Government upon expiry of the registration period on March 1, 2027, the bureau pointed out, noting that some of these residents may not be able to identify suitable accommodation within a short period of time.

Understanding that some residents may not fulfil the prevailing application requirements for Light Public Housing or TH, the bureau decided to create a new type of Category C tenants for TH, in order to provide assistance to affected SDU residents who have imminent short-term rehousing needs.

Applicants of Category C tenants can be exempted from meeting the prevailing income/asset limits for TH, but they still need to meet other eligibility requirements. In addition, the applicant or his/her family members must have lived in SDUs consecutively for at least six months, and provide documentary proof for review by any of the six District Service Teams commissioned by the Housing Bureau.

As the bureau anticipated that some Category C tenants may be able to identify suitable long-term accommodation soon after moving into TH, the tenancy for Category C tenants will be set on a monthly basis, with the shortest being one month and the longest generally not exceeding two years.

Moreover, a three-tier rental arrangement will be adopted.

Category C tenants shall pay the original rent of the TH project in the first 12 months of residence. Upon completion, they may apply for two extensions.

For the first extension, ie the 13th to 18th month of residence, Category C tenants who are still in imminent rehousing need may be granted a six-month extension of lease, but they will be required to pay 1.5 times the rent.

For the second extension, ie the 19th to 24th month of residence, Category C tenants who are still in imminent rehousing need may be granted a further six-month extension of lease, but they will be required to pay double rent.

Separately, tenants with residence of only one to six months may be required to pay an additional cleaning/administration fee to the relevant operating organisation, but this fee will not exceed half a month’s rent.

Upon completion of review of Category C tenants by District Service Teams, applicants for Category C tenants can submit TH applications through “TH-E” - Central & Unified Platform for Transitional Housing.

Alternatively, they may complete the TH application form and upload it to the above-mentioned platform, or submit it by post, fax or email.

For enquiries, call 3611 8156 or write to thapp@hb.gov.hk.