Hong Kong public housing providers to be investigated by watchdog over reallocation delays

Ombudsman’s Office says authorities mostly keeping up with reclaimed flat refurbishment, but some cases taking 197 days, five months longer than target

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The investigation will focus on speeding up the government’s public housing recovery process. Photo: Handout

Published: 3:03pm, 19 Sep 2024Updated: 8:25pm, 19 Sep 2024

Hong Kong’s ombudsman has vowed to investigate delays by authorities in the recovery process for public rental flats, noting some refurbishment works were taking nearly 200 days – or about five months longer than the government’s target of 44 days.

Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi said on Thursday that his office would assess whether there were stages in the process that could be expedited, as well as the prospect of improving procedures for the recovery of flats.

“The current government has been making every effort to increase public rental housing supply to satisfy people’s housing needs, and its efforts are delivering tangible results,” he said.

“If public rental housing flats are recovered and refurbished in a timely manner for reallocation to the families on the waiting list as soon as possible, it would not only shorten their waiting time but also enhance their sense of happiness and contentment.”

Chan said the investigation would focus on the workflow of the Housing Department and the Hong Kong Housing Society.

The department serves as the executive arm of the Housing Authority, the city’s main public housing provider. The society is also a major provider.