Chapter 12: Organisational Framework

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, interim housing, 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, not-for-profit 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 as the Government's agent.

In June 2000, the Chief Executive announced the establishment of a Committee on the Review of the Institutional Framework for Public Housing, chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. The committee's task is to examine the roles and responsibilities of the Housing Bureau, the Housing Authority, the Housing Department and the Housing Society in the delivery of public housing programmes, and to consider the best institutional framework for public housing. Results of this review are expected to be ready during 2002.