Scandals, suspension and sales

1978 Home Ownership Scheme launched to provide low-cost accommodation for less well-off families

1999 Piling scandals shatter buyers' confidence in quality of flats built under scheme

1999 Government announces offer of more low-interest housing loans to help families buy private flats, in bid to cut number of HOS flats being built

2000 Housing Authority decides to convert 16,000 HOS flats to rental flats and increase low-interest government loans amid mounting pressure by developers for government intervention to stop property price slide

2001 Government imposes 10-month sales ban to help shore up private property market

2002 Indefinite halt announced to HOS under package to shore up private market