Exclusive | Hong Kong housing authorities quietly open door for same-sex couples

Hong Kong’s housing authorities have opened up applications for public rental and subsidised homes to same-sex couples as part of efforts to address a ruling from the city’s top court last year, the Post has learned.

The measures, including modifying the application form for seeking second-hand subsidised homes, were implemented without any public announcement.

While lawmakers said the government had responded to the Court of Final Appeal’s decision prudently and within a reasonable time frame, a concern group expressed hope that the changes could have been publicly announced.

In a reply to the Post, the Housing Authority said: “Upon receiving [public rental home] applications involving same-sex married spouses, we will handle the case in accordance with the practice adopted for the ‘ordinary families’ applicant category.”

A spokesman added that the authority would continue to process such applications and those for buying subsidised flats from same-sex married couples.

The authority had yet to receive any public rental housing applications from any same-sex couples as of Thursday.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Hong Kong’s feral pigeon population drops 11% in hotspots amid feeding ban

Hong Kong’s feral pigeon population drops 11% in hotspots amid feeding ban

Hong Kong has recorded a roughly 11 per cent drop in the number of feral pigeons found at common gathering spots after an expanded no-feeding law took effect, according to authorities who are planning to use artificial intelligence (AI) patrol robots to enhance enforcement. The number of feral pigeons stood at about 12,090 during the

Warship Shandong wows Hong Kong tour groups with fighter jets, military displays

Warship Shandong wows Hong Kong tour groups with fighter jets, military displays

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong has left many Hong Kong residents and visitors impressed with its contingent of fighter jets and overall military prowess, while tourism sector veterans have said they are looking at how to capitalise on “future warship visits”. China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier and other vessels in its strike group began

Illustration of two figures examining three exclamation marks that are pinned at a large crack on the globe

How doing business in Hong Kong is changing

Hong Kong is back. So I was told, over and over again, when I arrived in the city in January 2023, having decided to move my life to a place I had never even visited.  I heard it from government officials in speeches. I heard it from friends who couldn’t wait to start walking Hong

Inherited Sports lead project officer Gaha Tushal. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong enterprise’s mission to help ethnic minority groups through sport

A Hong Kong social enterprise is on a mission to help the city’s ethnic minority groups build a career in sports, while also offering culturally and religiously sensitive programmes. Inherited Sports supports ethnic minority communities by helping them qualify as coaches, opening up job opportunities and broadening career prospects. The group has helped 11 men

No 1 typhoon signal to stay in effect on Saturday as hot weather grips Hong Kong

No 1 typhoon signal to stay in effect on Saturday as hot weather grips Hong Kong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Typhoon signal No 1 will remain in force on Saturday, Hong Kong’s weather forecaster said, adding the chance of issuing a higher

Hong Kong wants more visitors? Hook them with great food, Cantopop and Bruce Lee

Hong Kong wants more visitors? Hook them with great food, Cantopop and Bruce Lee

In the second of a two-part series on Hong Kong’s efforts to boost its tourism industry, the Post takes a look at other attractions the city can offer beyond the nine hotspot products the government has floated. Read part one here. Even as Hong Kong has kick-started efforts to promote nine “tourism hotspots” identified by

Hong Kong op nets $9.1m in counterfeit goods

Hong Kong op nets $9.1m in counterfeit goods

A four-week enforcement action by Hong Kong customs – codenamed ‘Ocean Shield’ – has resulted in the seizure of 157,000 suspected counterfeits with an estimated value of HKD 72m (around $9.1m). The operation, which focused on cross-boundary transshipments by sea cargo and local deliveries, was directed mainly at 30 logistics companies in Kwai Chung, Tin

Kung fu choreographer Tang Chia and Suet Nei were seen as a model couple in the business. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong mourns loss of 2 stars of film and television, Chow Chung and Suet Nei

Hong Kong is mourning the loss of two beloved film stars, Chow Chung and Suet Nei. Chow, known in recent decades for his roles as a “lovable old gentleman” in many local productions, died from pneumonia at the age of 92 on Friday, according to friends. Suet Nei’s family, meanwhile, said the actress, 77, succumbed

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x