The Housing Authority announced today that public rental housing (PRH) rents will rise 2.04% from October 1. The adjustment follows the Subsidised Housing Committee’s endorsement today of the outcome of the 2026 PRH rent review.

Under the Housing Ordinance, PRH rents are reviewed every two years using a statutory mechanism based on tenants’ household income. A report compiled by the Commissioner for Census & Statistics for the current review showed that the income index of 2025 was 2.04% higher than that of 2023.

Following this adjustment, the average monthly rent increase will be about $51, with the actual adjustments ranging $10 to $128.

The authority stated that the increase is within an affordable level for tenants. Excluding well-off tenants and households receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, about 60% of the remaining tenants will have a monthly rent increase of $60 or less, while 90% will pay no more than $80 extra per month.

Furthermore, the financial impact will be softened by rates concessions announced in the 2026-27 Budget. These concessions will be provided for the first two quarters of the financial year, subject to a ceiling of $500 for each property per quarter.

The actual rates concessions receivable by each rateable PRH household will range from about $258 to $1,000.

The rent adjustments will take effect October 1 for both existing and newly completed PRH estates. Rents for new estates are set according to District Best Rent Levels based on location and value per square metre of internal floor area. The authority will notify all affected tenants in writing one month before the implementation date.

Additionally, monthly licence fees of Light Public Housing will be adjusted on October 1 in line with the new PRH rental levels. These fees are set at approximately 90% of the rents for newly completed PRH estates in the same district. Occupants will also be informed in writing one month before the new fees take effect.