Abby Choi murder: Hong Kong subsidised housing sale rules to be changed to close loophole allowing homeowners to buy properties after her former father-in-law found to own flat under scheme
- Public housing tenants who already own a property to be banned from buying subsidised homes, source says
- Move comes in wake of revelation that former father-in-law of murdered model Abby Choi owned subsidised flat despite having large luxury home
Hong Kong public housing tenants who already own a property will be banned from buying a subsidised home, sources have revealed.
The move came after the former father-in-law of murdered model Abby Choi Tin-fung sparked a government review when it was found he had bought a subsidised flat, despite already having a large home in an upmarket area.
Sources on Tuesday said the proposed restriction was designed to help cope with increased demand for subsidised housing and in the wake of the exposure of the loophole that allowed buyers with a private home to buy a subsidised flat.
Scott Leung Man-kwong, the deputy chairman of the legislature’s housing panel, said the government had responded to calls from the public.
“There are calls to restrict applicants’ mainland and overseas properties as well, but we are talking about utilising Hong Kong’s housing resources,” Leung said.
