A community group, the Society for Community Organisation (SoCo), has made a plea to the government to expand public housing eligibility for non-elderly single individuals. Currently, there are approximately 91,000 non-elderly single applicants waiting for a public housing unit as of September. However, only about 10 percent of new public housing units, totaling 2,200 units, are allocated to them each year.
In response to this issue, Deputy Director of SoCo, Sze Lai-shan, has suggested that the government should increase the allocation quota for non-elderly singles to up to 30 percent. She emphasized that the current points system used by the government prioritizes age, resulting in a low quota for non-elderly individuals. Sze proposed the suspension of the points system and a significant increase in the allocation quota to ensure fairness for non-elderly singles, suggesting a range of 20 to 30 percent.
Despite the average waiting time for public housing units being 5.5 years, non-elderly single applicants often face a much longer wait, exceeding 10 years before being assigned a flat. For instance, a 57-year-old man named Suen, who currently rents a cubicle apartment, has been on the waiting list for 16 years. Suen expressed his frustration with the points system, stating that he has consistently fallen short by 20 points over the years, prolonging his wait for a public housing unit.
Moreover, Suen highlighted the lack of government subsidies available to individuals like him, making the wait for public housing even more challenging. Additionally, non-elderly single applicants are not eligible to apply for Light Public Housing, further limiting their housing options. SoCo has also urged the government to include non-elderly single applicants in a cash allowance scheme designed for those who have been on the public housing waiting list for three years or more.
In conclusion, the issue of public housing eligibility for non-elderly singles is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention from the government. By expanding the allocation quota and addressing the challenges faced by individuals waiting for public housing, the government can work towards ensuring fair and timely access to housing for all eligible applicants.
