Mandatory Reporting Announced for Elderly Residents in Public Housing

Mandatory Reporting Process for Elderly Residents

In an initiative designed to combat misuse of public housing resources, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, the Director of Housing in Hong Kong, has highlighted the importance of mandatory reporting for elderly residents. The current reporting phase targets approximately 120,000 elderly households where all members are aged 60 or older.

Key Details About Reporting

The reporting period commenced earlier this month and concludes on November 30. Residents are encouraged to check their mail for reporting forms. Housing officials stress that participation is critical for ensuring accurate occupancy records.

• Elderly residents must declare their continuous residency status.
• The term continuous typically refers to at least three consecutive months of residency.
• Absent residents may be exempt from disqualification due to valid reasons like health issues.

Support for Residents

Should elderly residents wish to transition to care institutions, Law assures them they can voluntarily relinquish their public housing. Importantly, upon returning, they will be guaranteed a suitable unit on their exit from the institution.

The primary aim of this new round of reporting is to curb incidents of subletting flats or leaving units vacant, ensuring public housing serves those in genuine need.

Impact on Public Housing Policies

Since the launch of the reporting mechanism in October last year, over 6,300 public housing flats have been recovered, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing housing misuse.