Editorial | Carrot and stick on public housing abuse in Hong Kong
Reward for whistle-blowers and tougher penalties for offenders simply common sense if Hong Kong is to solve it’s housing crisis
Foundations are finally being laid for the government to take a more serious approach to public rental flat misuse. It was good to see a scheme launched recently to reward whistle-blowers and authorities announce they were considering fines and jail time as deterrents to strengthen the city’s defence against such crimes.
The scope of the abuse is reflected in the public response so far. The city’s main public housing provider, the Housing Authority, received about 200 flat misuse complaints in the first two days after it started offering rewards on January 15. The scheme offers up to HK$3,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the reclamation of a misused public rental flat.
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin predicted that whistle-blowing could double because of the payout offer. Reports could reach about 2,600, double that of the previous year. Ho expected only half of the tip-offs would be confirmable and estimated the programme could cost about HK$3 million in its first year. But the investment seems worth it.
If 1,300 flats could be reclaimed, the government would save HK$1.3 billion considering the HK$1 million price tag for each home. Waiting times, which now stand at about 4½ years, could also be shortened.
Authorities are also confident about getting support from lawmakers to broaden penalties for public housing tenants who rent out their flats on the sly.
The proposed maximum penalty for such abuse includes a possible HK$500,000 fine and a year in jail. The proposal, which if passed would take effect before mid-2026, would not be imposed retroactively. But days after the announcement, Hong Kong’s ombudsman pushed housing authorities to do more to hold offenders legally accountable.
