The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) was established in 1973 to replace three previous government departments that had been building various forms of public housing since 1954.
The work of the Resettlement Department, the former Housing Authority, and the low-cost housing scheme which had formerly been the responsibility of the Public Works Department, was absorbed into the new HKHA.
It became responsible for advising the Governor on housing matters, and for planning, construction, management and co-ordination of all aspects of public housing and commercial, recreational and other facilities and amenities on the housing estates.
The HKHA was reorganised in 1988, and was given a separate financial identity and autonomy.
This reorganisation was to enable the HKHA to take over and implement the Government's recently announced Long-Term Housing Strategy.
In addition, the authority has the responsibility of clearing and controlling squatters.