Housing Authority to formulate relief proposal in line with Government's helping measures
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Regarding the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan's announcement of a package of measures today (August 15) to support enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, to safeguard jobs and relieve people's financial burden, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) said, "We note that the Government will pay one month's rent for lower-income tenants living in public rental units of the HA, including HA licensees. The measure will not apply to tenants who are required to pay additional rent to the HA."
The Government will seek funding approval from the Legislative Council (LegCo). Subject to the LegCo's approval, according to past experience and taking into account the time needed for preparatory work including computer system adjustment, verification of tenancy records and adjustment of auto payment with banks,, the HA will take about one and a half months after the approval to implement the measure. The HA will inform all relevant tenants and licensees of the implementation arrangements in due course.
"We also note that the Government will reduce the rental for most short-term tenancies of government land for community and business use under the Lands Department, public market stalls leased by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, catering establishments and retail stores leased by the Government Property Agency, public cargo working areas leased by the Marine Department and stalls/facilities in the four wholesale markets managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department by 50 per cent for a period of six months," the spokesman added.
"In line with the Government's efforts, we will seek approval from the HA's Commercial Properties Committee to reduce the rent for HA’s retail and factory units by 50 per cent for six months in tandem with Government’s measures. The proposed rent reduction will not apply to tenants of supermarkets, superstores and banks, including ATMs."
Ends/Thursday, August 15, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:41
Issued at HKT 19:41
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