Rent Subsidies Would Only Benefit Landlords: CE

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, told lawmakers on Wednesday that the government would not consider giving people living in sub-divided flats financial help to pay their rent, saying any such move would only benefit landlords.

Lam also rejected the idea of rent control, saying this could worsen the city's housing shortage.

At a Legislative Council question-and-answer session, Lam said that while the government is determined to solve Hong Kong's housing problems, it has to consider the full picture before rolling out any policies.

"If we impose rent control, then maybe we will reduce the supply of rental units. When there is overall housing short supply, we need to make sure that there are enough supply of rental units," Lam said.

Meanwhile, newly elected pro-democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin asked the CE whether the government could buy back the Link Reit, which has been accused of forcing small tenants out of its public housing estate malls by putting up rents.

Lam again rejected the proposal, saying providing more public markets is a better idea.

"If we have to respect the business sector and private property ... how many such private businesses could we buy? That's why we have agreed to increase the supply of public markets so the general public, particularly those in the grassroots sector, will be able to buy their daily necessities", the CE said.