The Secretary for Housing has overall responsibility for formulating strategic policies on the provision of housing in the public and private sectors in Hong Kong, and co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of these policies by government departments, the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Housing Society and private sector agencies. He is assisted by staff in the Housing Bureau.

The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA), established in 1973, is a statutory body responsible for implementing the majority of Hong Kong's public housing programmes. It plans and builds public housing for rent or sale to low income people. It manages public rental housing estates, Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) courts, interim housing, Cottage Areas, transit centres, flatted factories and ancillary commercial and community facilities. Increasingly, it has contracted out these management services to private sector agencies. It also administers the Private Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS) and the Home Purchase Loan Scheme (HPLS). The Housing Department is the executive arm of the HKHA, and also acts as the Government's agent to control squatting and to carry out clearances.

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) is an independent non-profit-making organisation established in 1948. It plans and builds quality housing for rent or sale to specific target groups at affordable rents or prices. To assist first-time home buyers, the HKHS administers the Home Starter Loan Scheme on behalf of the Government. The HKHS also assists in the redevelopment of old buildings in urban areas through its Urban Improvement Scheme.