The Housing Department today thanked the Ombudsman for appreciating its initiative in recovering public rental housing (PRH) flats and proactively taking enhanced measures to expedite the early intake of PRH by prospective tenants.

The department made the statement in response to a report released by the Office of the Ombudsman on its direct investigation into "Arrangements for Recovering Public Rental Housing Flats by Authorities".

It stressed that together with the Housing Authority, it attaches great importance to the procedures and arrangements for the recovery of PRH flats, as well as the refurbishment and allocation processes, so as to expedite the allocation process and the turnover of PRH units.

In this regard, a series of reviews were launched to explore and implement optimisation measures, including making advance allocation of vacant flats undergoing refurbishment to eligible PRH applicants simultaneously, so that the applicants can immediately move in once the refurbishment works are completed.

The scope of the Vacant Flat Refurbishment Allowance was also expanded in November 2024 to vacant flats of all building ages. Prospective tenants participating in the scheme will receive an allowance equivalent to a standard three-month rent and can use the allowance flexibly to make arrangements that better suit their families' needs.

Noting that the number of hearing cases has increased as the Housing Authority intensified its efforts to combat the abuse of PRH flats, the department said the Appeal Panel (Housing) has streamlined the handling procedures and increased the number of hearings since mid-2022.

Such efforts include simplifying the process of verifying the identity of the appellant and increasing the number of hearing sessions on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. Starting from 2023-24, the number of appeal panel members has also increased from about 100 to 120.

The average time from receipt of an appeal to reaching a decision was sharply shortened from four months in 2022 to 2.5 months in 2023, and was further reduced to less than two months in the first half of 2024.

Apart from expressing that it appreciates the Ombudsman’s valuable views on its current mechanisms and measures, the department emphasised that it will study the recommendations in detail and seriously handle and review the recovery of PRH units, refurbishment and allocation processes of PRH, and allocate the units to those in need as soon as possible.