HOUSING
policy agenda and priorities to focus on the provision of public rental housing. It has ceased the sale and construction of the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats, initiated studies on the disposal arrangements for the surplus subsidised sale flats, undertaken to review the Home Assistance Loan Scheme (HALS) and put in place a concrete action plan for divesting its retail and car parking facilities.
Institutional Framework
Following a comprehensive review of the institutional framework for housing policy, the former Housing Bureau and the Housing Department merged on July 1, 2002 to form the new Housing Department. The reconstituted Housing Department integrates the policy and operational responsibilities in the provision of public housing, the procurement of services from the private sector and the assessment of eligibility for public housing assistance. It continues to provide secretariat and executive support to the HKHA and its committees to enable them to discharge their duties effectively. The reconstituted Housing Department also monitors developments in the private housing market, and oversees policy matters relating to the regulation of estate agents.
Under the Accountability System for Principal Officials implemented on July 1, 2002, the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands is the Principal Official responsible for overall housing matters. He was appointed as Chairman of the HKHA on April 1, 2003 to help forge a closer collaboration between the HKHA and the Government in the provision of housing services. The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands is underpinned by the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Housing), who also heads the Housing Department.
Public Rental Housing
Under the new policy framework, the provision of assistance to those in genuine need continues to lie at the heart of the Government's housing policy. The Government would work to ensure that all those who cannot afford adequate accommodation in the private market have the opportunity to have access to subsidised PRH. It is committed to maintaining the average waiting time for PRH at around three years and ensuring that there is an adequate supply of public rental housing through a rolling construction programme run by the HKHA. The actual quantum of PRH units to be built will be adjusted regularly taking account of the housing demand of low-income families and the turnover in PRH tenancies. To maximise the cost- effectiveness in the construction process, the HKHA has reviewed the design standards and finishes for new public rental housing in support of the concept of a 'Functional and Cost-effective' design.
At present, about 2 130 200 people or 31 per cent of Hong Kong's population live in public rental housing estates managed by the HKHA or the Hong Kong Housing Society3. At December, there were 90 240 households on the Waiting List for PRH. The current average waiting time for PRH is 2.1 years.
Rent Policy
The affordability of tenants is the prime factor in determining rent levels of public rental flats. Other factors taken into consideration include estate value, maintenance
3 The HKHS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 1948. It plans and builds quality
housing for rent to specific target groups at affordable rents
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