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1CorporateProfile

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Housing Authority

1.1 The housing policies in both the public and private sectors at the macro level are formulated and monitored

by the Housing Bureau. The overall objective is to achieve better housing for all through an adequate

supply of affordable quality housing both for rent and sale.

1.2 Within the Government’s overall policy framework, the Housing Authority (HA) determines and

implements public housing policies. Apart from planning and building public housing for rent and sale,

it also manages public rental housing (PRH) estates, interim housing (IH) estates, transit centres, flatted

factories, and ancillary commercial and non-domestic facilities. It also administers sales under the Private

Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS) and offers loans under the Home Purchase Loan Scheme (HPLS). In

addition, it acts as the Government’s agent for clearing land, preventing squatting and implementing

improvements in squatter areas.

1.3 Since commencement of the public housing programme in 1954, the HA has been playing an important

role in promoting growth of the public housing sector. As of 2001/02[1], the HA –

■ provided 666 200 PRH/IH flats for 2 005 800 persons, representing 30 % of Hong Kong’s total

population;

■ attained a home ownership rate of 37% in the public sector through various subsidized home ownership

schemes, including –

- 302 700 flats under HOS/PSPS;

- 7 600 flats under Mortgage Subsidy Scheme (MSS)/Buy-or-Rent Option (BRO); and

- 69 200 flats under Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS);

■ granted 46 000 loans under HPLS to applicants for purchase of flats in the private sector or the HOS

secondary market;

■ provided 2.33 million m2 internal floor area (IFA) commercial and non-domestic premises or 11% of

the territory’s total retail space, and 96 500 carparks;

■ reduced the number of overcrowded PRH families[2] from 14.2% in 1991 to 2.3% in 2001.

Note [1] : Unless otherwise stated, all figures quoted in this and subsequent paragraphs refer to position as at 30.9.2001.Note [2] : Families with living area below 5.5m2 IFA per person.

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1.4 The HA comprises a non-official chairman, four official and 27 non-official members who are appointed

by the Chief Executive for a term of two years, subject to re-appointment. It determines and oversees the

implementation of public housing policies. To facilitate its operations, eight standing committees have

been formed to formulate, administer and oversee policies in specified areas. In addition, in accordance

with the stipulation in Section 7(1) of the Housing Ordinance (Cap. 283) and No. 26 of the Standing

Orders of the HA, the Authority and its standing committees may appoint sub-committees or panels to

better discharge their functions. These sub-committees and panels will be dissolved upon completion of

their missions.

HousingAuthority

Standing Committees

Ad Hoc Committees

Strategic Planning Committee

Building Committee

Rental Housing Committee

Home Ownership Committee

Commercial Properties Committee

Finance Committee

Human Resources Committee

Complaints Committee

Committee on Review ofDomestic Rent Policy

Task Force on Private SectorInvolvement

Property Services CompanySelection Panel

Selection Panel for Appointmentof Solicitors

Letting Panel

Management Buy Out SelectionPanel

Organization of the Housing Authority

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Housing Department

1.5 The policies set by the HA and its standing committees are implemented by the Housing Department

(HD) which has a strength of 12 310 staff[3]. While most of the HD staff are civil servants, about 1 810

are HA contract staff.

1.6 The structure of the HD mirrors that of the HA. It operates along business lines and is divided into four

business branches and two cross-business supporting services branches. Each of these branches is headed

by a business director who is responsible for developing and overseeing daily operation of his business,

setting service goals and performance standards, and monitoring resources allocation within his branch.

In addition, the two supporting services branches provide internal corporate support and offer advice on

major policy areas and key cross-business strategic issues.

1.7 Within the HD, the Executive Board, chaired by the Director of Housing, is the management board to set

overall strategies, to clear policies and to monitor business performance.

Note [3] : Position as at 1 January 2002.Note [4] : Including 892 staff responsible for squatter control and land clearance duties as Government’s agent.Note [5] : In July 2001, the Computer Division, comprising 177 staff, was reorganized into the Information Technology Division and transferred from

Corporate Services Branch to Finance and Information Branch.Note [6] : Director’s Office includes Independent Checking Unit,Technical Audit Unit, Internal Audit Section and Lift Ordinance Enforcement Unit.

Organization and Strength of Housing Department (Total strength as at 1 January 2002:12 314)

HousingDepartment

Business Branches

Supporting Services Branches

Development & Construction (2 340)

Management (6 830)

Allocation & Marketing (1 721)[4]

Commercial & Business Development (454)

Corporate Services (494)[5]

Finance & Information (330)

Director’s Office (81)[6]

Corporate Strategy Unit (64)