Public Housing Rent To Go Up By 1.17pc

The Housing Authority on Monday approved a proposal to raise public housing rent by 1.17 percent, even though the extra payment will be waived for a year.

The hike was the outcome of a biennial rent review that tracks household income.

Each household will have to pay HK$5 to HK$66 more a month as a result of the adjustment, which is set to take effect on October 1.

But the authority has decided to waive the extra payment for 12 months to ease the financial burden on tenants.

"Members of SHC (Subsidised Housing Committee) are mindful that the impact of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic may pose economic difficulties for PRH tenants," a Housing Authority spokesman said in a statement.

The authority is expected to receive HK$262 million less in rental income because of the relief measure.