Hong Kong development chief denies U-turn over agency to support homeowners
Hong Kong’s development chief has refuted accusations of a policy U-turn over the establishment of a dedicated agency to help flat owners with building repair tenders, insisting the agency’s planned remit differs fundamentally from one rejected a decade ago. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, in a press conference on Friday, elaborated on the scope of work of the Building…
Hong Kong's development chief, Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, has denied accusations of a policy U-turn over the creation of a dedicated agency to support homeowners with building repair tenders. Speaking at a press conference, Hon-ho clarified that the Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, set to be established by the end of the year, will focus on recommending qualified contractors rather than enforcing regulations.
She explained that while the council would provide support, regulatory and law enforcement functions would remain with the Buildings Department. The council, which will be a government-owned company, will not have statutory power, but homeowners will be obligated to follow its recommendations for subsidy eligibility. The new body aims to ensure that renovation professionals and contractors meet necessary qualifications, aligning with a previous 2015 proposal that was rejected due to concerns about administrative costs and potential conflicts with other government agencies.
Advocates for the proposal, including former HKIS president Vincent Ho Kui-yip and former Democratic Party member Winfield Chong Wing-fai, argue that the current approach addresses long-standing frustrations among homeowners and provides a more effective solution than existing disjointed government departments.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
