Government welcomes passage of Housing (Amendment) Bill 2025
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The series of measures includes: (i) introducing new offences of serious tenancy abuse of public rental housing (PRH) flats; (ii) empowering authorised officers to demand personal details from suspects; and (iii) extending the limitation of time for prosecution of offences of false statements, refusal to furnish information and unlawful alienations. Meanwhile, the Amendment Ordinance also empowers the Director of Housing to specify the forms for fixed penalty notice and demand notice to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) in combating unauthorised use of roads within housing estates.
The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, said, ''Public housing is a precious social resource that must be allocated to those in genuine need and utilised in a reasonable manner. The series of measures to be implemented under the Amendment Ordinance reflects the Government's determination to combat abuse of PRH flats. The HA will continue to enhance its policies to ensure that public housing resources are focused on helping those in greatest need.''
The legislation as passed will be gazetted on June 20. The amendment empowering the Director of Housing to specify the forms of notices will come into operation upon gazettal. The other three new measures will take effect from March 31, 2026, onwards.
The HA will step up publicity efforts to ensure that PRH tenants and members of the public understand the contents of the new package of measures in combating PRH abuse.
Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:36
Issued at HKT 19:36
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