The Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) has called the housing policies announced in the Chief Executive’s latest Policy Address a “good start” for improving living conditions in the SAR.

John Lee on Wednesday announced several measures in his policy blueprint to boost housing supply, saying also that a task force will be set up to tackle issued related to subdivided flats.

SoCO’s deputy director, Sze Lai-Shan, told a press conference that while the task force is a step in the right direction, follow-up work is even more important.

"I think it's a good beginning, at least he [John Lee] touched on this problem. For it to be more effective, I think following the task force, there should be legislation. We hope there will be a timetable to eradicate the poor conditions of housing," she said.

Others, meanwhile, told the same press conference that the government should continue to focus on building more public flats.

"Of course it’s good to eliminate subdivided flats, but can the government re-house us? I hope we can live in a public flat or transitional housing as soon as possible," a woman said.

"I've been queuing [for public housing] for five years already. I hope the government can build more flats," another elderly woman said.