Ombudsman probes Government's work in combating abuse of public housing resources (with photo)
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The Ombudsman, Ms Winnie Chiu, today (April 20) announced the launch of a direct investigation into the Government's work in combating abuse of public housing resources.
Public housing resources are precious to the society. As the authorities managing public rental housing (PRH), the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) have taken measures to prevent abuse of such resources. According to the HKHA and the HKHS, common types of PRH abuse include non-occupation (or not retaining regular and continuous residence), false declaration (such as income, assets, marital status and household particulars), subletting, non-domestic usage or engagement in illegal activities.
The Housing Department (HD), which is the executive arm of the HKHA, and the HKHS have both set up designated teams to investigate suspected cases of PRH abuse. Where a PRH abuse case is substantiated and the tenant's misconduct amounts to a serious breach of tenancy agreement, the HD and the HKHS can terminate the tenancy and recover the flat in accordance with the terms of tenancy. Tenants of PRH units under the HKHA who conceal or make false declaration are subject to prosecution brought by the HD under the Housing Ordinance. That said, the Office of The Ombudsman has received from time to time public complaints about improper handling of reports of suspected PRH abuse by the HD or the HKHS.
Ms Chiu said, "Demand for public housing has always been keen in Hong Kong. Abuse of public housing not only wastes precious public housing resources, it also prolongs the waiting of families applying for PRH. There should be practical mechanism and measures for the HD and the HKHS to effectively detect and curb PRH abuse so as to ensure that public housing resources are allocated and utilised in a fair and reasonable manner. In this light, we have decided to initiate a direct investigation to examine the work of the HKHA, the HD and the HKHS in combating abuse of public housing resources. The investigation will cover the aforesaid authorities' monitoring of tenants' usage of their flats, vetting of tenants' declaration of income and assets, mechanism and measures for following up on suspected PRH abuse cases and procedures for recovering flats from tenants who have abused public housing resources. We will make improvement recommendations where necessary."
The Ombudsman welcomes views from members of the public on this topic. Written submissions should reach the Office of The Ombudsman by May 20, 2023:
Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre
168–200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Fax: 2882 8149
Email: complaints@ombudsman.hk
Ends/Thursday, April 20, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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