Well-off tenant scheme branded a ‘policy of eviction’ for Hong Kong public housing
Tenants must vacate their public flats if their monthly income exceeds a set limit by five times
A move to free up more public housing by taking back flats from “well-off” tenants has been blasted as a “policy of eviction” that forces hardworking, thrifty Hongkongers into the jaws of the private market, while doing little to solve endemic housing issues.
The scathing criticism came from 21 individuals and deputations from the public as well as lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum at a Legislative Council housing panel meeting on Monday.
Under the revised policy, implemented last October, tenants will have to vacate their public flats if their monthly income exceeds a set limit by five times, or if their net assets exceed the limit by 100 times.
This means a four-person household with a monthly income of HK$133,450 or with accumulated assets exceeding HK$2.7 million would need to hand over their flat.
Hong Kong public housing policy still failing low income families
“This so-called well-off tenant policy is to me, more accurately, a well-off tenant eviction policy,” said panel member and social welfare sector legislator Shiu Ka-chun. “A lot of these tenants are not well-off at all … they are just not poor. You have created the impression that they are undeserving of public housing.”