Public housing rent to hike by 2.04%

The Housing Authority has approved a 2.04% rent increase for public housing effective from October 1st.

Households will experience an average increase of 51 dollars for their monthly rent.

The authorities said that having considered the current socio-economic situation and the Housing Authority's financial position, they do not recommend providing any concessionary measures.

The current rent review mechanism is based on residents' income and is reviewed over a two year period, where 2,000 public housing households are sampled and asked about income changes every month.

Officials said the current mechanism has proven effective and there are no plans to change it despite some people suggesting switching to another system.

Chairman of the Subsidised Housing Committee Professor Stephen Cheung said that tenants facing financial difficulties can apply for the Rent Assistance Scheme, which provides a 25 to 50% rent reduction.