ENG-2005 — Page 255

Housing 213

• The Government should maintain a fair and stable operating environment for the private property market by ensuring adequate land supply and the provision of an efficient supporting infrastructure.

Following the Government's announcement on the repositioning of its housing policy, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA)2 has been realigning its activities. with the new policy agenda and priorities. It has ceased the sale and production of the Home Ownership Scheme flats, terminated all housing loan schemes and listed The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (The Link REIT) in November 2005 to divest itself of 180 retail and car parking facilities. The core function of the HKHA now is to provide subsidised rental housing to those who cannot afford to rent accommodation in the private market.

Institutional Framework

Following a comprehensive review of the institutional framework for housing policy, a reconstituted Housing Department integrates the policy and operational responsibilities of providing public rental housing, procuring services from the private sector and assessing eligibility for public housing assistance. It continues to provide secretariat and executive support to the HKHA and its committees. The department also monitors developments in the private housing market, and oversees policy matters relating to the regulation of estate agents.

The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands is the Principal Official responsible for overall housing matters. He also acts as Chairman of the HKHA to help forge a closer co-operation between the HKHA and the Government in the provision of housing services. He is supported 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 ensures that all those who cannot afford adequate accommodation in the private market have access to subsidised public rental housing. It is committed to maintaining the average waiting time for public rental housing at around three years and ensuring that there is an adequate supply through a rolling construction programme run by the HKHA. The actual number of units to be built is adjusted regularly to take account of the housing demand of low-income families and the turnover in tenancies.

At present, about 2 129 600 people, or 31 per cent of Hong Kong's population, live in public rental housing estates of the HKHA and the Hong Kong Housing Society

2

The HKHA, established in 1973, is a statutory body responsible for implementing the majority of Hong Kong's public housing programmes. It plans and builds public housing for renting to low- income people. It manages public rental housing estates, interim housing, transit centres, flatted factories and ancillary commercial and community facilities. It acts as the Government's agent for clearing land, preventing squatting and implementing improvements in squatter areas.

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