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Following is a question by the Hon Wu Chi-wai and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (November 4):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council of the following information regarding the domestic households ("households") in public rental housing ("PRH") and subsidised home ownership housing ("SHOH"), derived by arranging their monthly household income into deciles in ascending order:
(1) the respective percentages of the total monthly household income of the first to the third deciles of PRH households, in the aggregate monthly household income of all PRH households, in each of the past 10 years, and whether such percentages show an upward or a downward trend; whether it has examined which of the public housing policies implemented in the periods concerned contributed to such a trend; if it has, of the outcome;
(2) the respective percentages of the total monthly household income of the eighth to the tenth deciles of PRH households, in the aggregate monthly household income of all PRH households, in each of the past 10 years, and whether such percentages show an upward or a downward trend; whether it has examined which of the public housing policies implemented in the periods concerned contributed to such a trend; if it has, of the outcome;
(3) the respective percentages of the total monthly household income of the first to the third deciles of SHOH households, in the aggregate monthly household income of all SHOH households, in each of the past 10 years, and whether such percentages show an upward or a downward trend; whether it has examined which of the subsidised housing policies implemented in the periods concerned contributed to such a trend; if it has, of the outcome; and
(4) the respective percentages of the total monthly household income of the eighth to the tenth deciles of SHOH households, in the aggregate monthly household income of all SHOH households, in each of the past 10 years, and whether such percentages show an upward or a downward trend; whether it has examined which of the subsidised housing policies implemented in the periods concerned contributed to such a trend; if it has, of the outcome?
Reply£º
President£º
The statistics sought in Hon Wu Chi-wai's question are at Annex. The Government has not examined the relationship between the trend of total household income distribution and housing policies. Nevertheless, the Government agrees that public rental housing (PRH) is the primary housing solution for low-income families and is committed to providing PRH to those who cannot afford private rental housing. Separately, subsidised sale flats serve as the first step for home ownership for some low to middle-income families. They also provide an avenue for better-off PRH tenants to buy their own homes, thereby releasing their PRH units for use by applicants waiting for PRH allocation. Subsidised home ownership is an essential element of the housing ladder which helps promote social mobility. It is a core component of the Government's Long Term Housing Strategy.
Ends/Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:23
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