Extension of temporary measure to withhold issuance of Notice-to-Quit to public housing tenants
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The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (April 22) announced that public housing tenants in short-term financial difficulty with rent in arrears may submit applications to the HA between April 2022 and September 2022. The HA will temporarily withhold issuing a Notice-to-Quit (NTQ) to the tenants concerned during the period if their applications are approved.
To help those tenants having financial problems get through the hardship during the pandemic, the HA had temporarily withheld the issuance of NTQ to tenants between May and October 2020 upon approval of their applications. The HA has subsequently extended the measure three times in a row until March this year. Taking into account the persistent economic downturn during the pandemic, the HA decided to further extend the measure for another six months from April 2022 to September 2022.
In addition, the HA has all along been providing assistance to public housing tenants who are facing temporary financial difficulty through the Rent Assistance Scheme (RAS). Under the scheme, eligible applicants will be granted either a 50 per cent or 25 per cent rent reduction for a period of two years. When there is an increase in their household income or a change in the number of family members, RAS beneficiaries should take the initiative to inform the HA for a review of their eligibility. The HA will also conduct random checking to guard against possible abuse.
Tenants may contact the respective estate offices or interim housing offices for details of the arrangements.
Ends/Friday, April 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 10:45
Issued at HKT 10:45
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