Hong Kong to establish minimum standards for subdivided flats, but timeline to phase them out yet to be set: housing chief
- ‘Some will pass and some will fail, but those with marginal issues will be given time to fix their problems,’ Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says
- Ceiling height and ventilation among factors authorities will take into account when setting standards, she adds
Hong Kong’s housing minister has said authorities will target subdivided flats in deplorable condition by establishing minimum standards, but a timeline to phase them out completely has not been set yet.
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin revealed the details on Saturday, a day after the first meeting of a new government task force for tackling the issue of subdivided homes.
“We are setting a standard, just like an exam,” she told a radio programme.
“Some will pass and some will fail, but those with marginal issues will be given time to fix their problems. The targets are homes in deplorable condition … like those with washrooms without walls, where you have to sleep next to the toilet bowl. Such cases will absolutely fail.”
Ceiling height and ventilation were among the factors authorities would take into account when setting the standards, she added.
The task force is a new initiative announced in this year’s policy address on October 25.
