The Ombudsman on Thursday urged the Housing Department to reconsider the use of public housing flats for senior citizens, and allocate them to people with urgent housing needs.

Announcing the results of a direct investigation, Winnie Chiu said these flats – introduced in the 1980s for people aged above 60 – have become outdated and unpopular among elderly tenants.

She noted that the vacancy rates for two types of public housing for the elderly are around 15 percent and 10 percent respectively, far higher than the 1.3 percent target set by the Housing Department.

"Because of the design of these units, which requires the sharing of kitchen and bathroom facilities, they are not welcomed by the elderly tenants... People's expectations of the facilities and living conditions of public rental housing have changed over these decades," she said.

"It is time for the Housing Department to reconsider use of such housing for senior citizens and its allocation scheme to improve the vacancy rate."

Chiu advised the department to consider converting the flats back into ordinary public housing flats, or draw on the concept of transitional housing and allocate some of the units to those living in inadequate housing.

The Housing Department, in response, said it is actively considering the recommendations made by the government watchdog.