Extension of temporary measure to withhold issuance of Notice-to-Quit to public housing tenants
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The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (January 12) announced that public housing tenants in short-term financial difficulty with rents in arrears may submit an application to the HA between January and June 2023. The HA will temporarily withhold issuing a Notice-to-Quit (NTQ) to the tenants concerned during the period if their applications are approved.
To help those tenants having financial problems get through the hardship during the pandemic, the HA had temporarily withheld the issuance of an NTQ to tenants between May and October 2020 upon approval of their applications. The HA has subsequently extended the measure five consecutive times until December 2022. Taking into consideration the impact of the pandemic on the local economic recovery, the HA has decided to further extend the measure for another six months up to June 2023.
In addition, the HA has all along been providing assistance to public housing tenants who are facing temporary financial difficulties through the Rent Assistance Scheme (RAS). Under the scheme, eligible applicants will be granted either a 50 per cent or 25 per cent rent reduction for a period of two years. When there is an increase in their household income or a change in the number of family members, RAS beneficiaries should take the initiative to inform the HA for a review of their eligibility. The HA will also conduct random checking to guard against possible abuse.
Tenants may contact their respective estate offices or interim housing offices for details of the arrangements.
Ends/Thursday, January 12, 2023
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
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