C.Y. Leung's zeal to tackle housing falls short in execution

Few doubt Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's determination to tackle housing problems. But a failure to consult on some of his policies - especially on land rezoning - is souring the government's relationship with the community.

Leung has revived a range of housing measures suspended since the financial crisis in 2003 that his predecessor, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, refused to resurrect.

"The most important thing that C.Y. Leung did was to revisit the concept of a land bank for future developments and propose ways to build it up. It's vital because land supply has huge implications on people's livelihood and economic development," said Marco Wu Moon-hoi, who advised Leung in drafting his election manifesto last year.

The administration has abolished the land-sale list application system and resumed regular sales; it has proposed reclamation to build up the land bank; and it has re-established a committee to draft a Long Term Housing Strategy for the next decade, assessing how many new homes should be built to meet population growth. It has confirmed the Home Ownership Scheme as a key element in delivering subsidised housing.

Wu also points to initiatives that "give priority to Hong Kong people" in the property market, such as the 30-year ban on non-resident buyers at two prime sites at the former Kai Tak airport, and a 15 per cent buyers' tax on non-residents and companies.

These measures were welcomed by the community but businesses and investors cried foul and accused the government of protectionism.