Following is a question by the Hon Leung Che-cheung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (February 22):
 
Question:

     In recent months, several members of the public have sought my assistance, saying that due to their inability to afford the high residential rents in Hong Kong, they live in Shenzhen temporarily and cross the boundary to Hong Kong every day for work.  Those people had applied for public rental housing (PRH) in Hong Kong but were rejected because they failed to meet the relevant eligibility criteria, which include that (i) the applicant must submit a copy of proof of Hong Kong residential address (e.g. electricity bill, water bill), and (ii) all family members must still be residing in Hong Kong at the time of allocation.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(1) it has assessed if the aforesaid PRH eligibility criteria constitute discrimination against Hong Kong permanent residents (HKPRs) living on the Mainland; if it has, of the outcome;
 
(2) it has compiled statistics on the current number of HKPRs who are living on the Mainland but wish to return to reside in Hong Kong after being allocated PRH; if so, of the outcome; if not, the reasons for that, and whether the Government will consider compiling such statistics;
 
(3) it will relax the relevant PRH eligibility criteria to allow that type of HKPRs to apply for PRH; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) it will formulate measures to assist that type of people in applying for PRH; if so, of the details; if not, how the Government responds to the housing needs of such people?
 
Reply:

President,
 
     It is the objective of the Government and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) to provide public rental housing (PRH) to low-income families who cannot afford private rental accommodation.  To ensure the rational allocation of the limited PRH resources, HA has formulated the eligibility criteria for PRH, including the requirement that the applicant and all family members included in the application form must be residing in Hong Kong at the time of application and are still residing in Hong Kong at the time of flat allocation; and that at least half of the family members included in the application form must have lived in Hong Kong for seven years at the time of flat allocation.
 
     As at end-December 2016, there were about 148 800 general applications (i.e. family and elderly one-person applications) for PRH, and about 133 500 non-elderly one-person applications under the Quota and Points System.  The average waiting time (note) for general applicants was 4.7 years.  Among them, the average waiting time for elderly one-person applicants was 2.6 years.  This reflects that even though the Government is sparing no efforts in developing land for public and private housing in order to increase the housing supply, the demand for PRH remains high.
 
     We do not have statistics on the number of Hong Kong permanent residents (HKPRs) who are currently residing on the Mainland but wish to return to Hong Kong after being allocated PRH.  In fact, since the place of residence is a matter of personal decision, and may change with the lapse of time or with the change in the way of living or economic situation, it is indeed difficult to ascertain the reasons behind HKPRs' choice to reside in places outside Hong Kong (e.g. for better living environment, lower cost of living, etc.).  As the place of residence is a matter of personal decision and may be subject to change, even if we conduct a survey on this subject, the relevant statistics (including the target respondents of the survey, as well as their number and preferences) will continue to change.  Considering that such statistics would serve limited reference value in terms of assisting the HA in allocating PRH resources, we have no plan to conduct the relevant survey.
 
     Given limited PRH resources and the continuously pressing need for PRH, we need to accord priority to applicants who are residing in Hong Kong, wish to live in PRH and fulfil the current eligibility criteria for PRH (including the requirement that they must be residing in Hong Kong).  Hence, we have no intention to relax the eligibility criteria for PRH application.  For those who choose to return to and settle in Hong Kong and have housing needs, they can apply for PRH according to the established procedures.  If they have genuine and imminent housing needs on social or medical grounds but have no other feasible means and ability to solve their housing problems, they may approach the Social Welfare Department for assistance or assessment of their cases.  Eligible cases will then be recommended to the Housing Department for early allocation of PRH through "Compassionate Rehousing".
 
Note: Waiting time refers to the time taken between registration for PRH and first flat offer, excluding any frozen period during the application period (e.g. when the applicant has not yet fulfilled the residence requirement; the applicant has requested to put his/her application on hold pending arrival of family members for family reunion; the applicant is imprisoned, etc.).  The average waiting time for general applicants refers to the average of the waiting time of those general applicants who were housed to PRH in the past 12 months.

Ends/Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:30

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