The Housing Authority (HA) has proposed a rent increase of 2.04 percent for all public rental housing units.

That means each household will have to pay an additional HK$10 to HK$128 – or an average of HK$51 – per month, which the HA described as having a "minimal impact" on tenants.

If approved, the increase is scheduled to take effect on October 1.

According to a document submitted to the Legislative Council, there were roughly 820,800 public rental tenancies as of March this year, with an average monthly rent of HK$2,519.

With the city’s GDP projected to grow between 2.5 and 3.5 percent this year, the HA said it anticipates a corresponding increase in the income of tenants. It also said it would not recommend any special concessionary measures.

If approved, the adjustment is projected to generate roughly HK$540 million in additional revenue each year.

The Legco housing panel will discuss the proposal on July 6.

Public housing rents are reviewed every two years, with adjustments tied to changes in overall household income and capped at a statutory maximum of 10 percent.


Edited by Edmond Fong