Housing Department Reclaims Unit in Yidong Village, Sparking Online Discussion
A notice indicating the Housing Department has reclaimed a unit in Yidong Village was recently posted outside a property, prompting discussion among online residents. The notice, photographed and shared on the Facebook group “Friends of Queen’s Mountain” on November 21st, states: “This house is reclaimed by the Housing Department and any intruders will be expelled or prosecuted. Housing department’s instructions.”
the case has drawn attention following recent reports regarding the misuse of public housing.One related article details a case involving family members reported for allegedly abusing public housing while studying in the UK, while another highlights concerns over a resident displaying lavish items within a public housing unit. A third article discusses a Hong Kong man publicly confirming he received a reward for reporting abuse of public housing.
Online commenters have speculated about the reasons for the reclamation, suggesting possibilities such as financial difficulties, undisclosed property ownership, non-occupancy, or income discrepancies discovered after the initial application. Some believe the resident may have exceeded allowed limits or failed to declare existing property ownership.
Several commenters noted a pattern of reclaimed units, warning that abusing the public housing system “is a dead end.” Others pointed to the prevalence of potential holiday homes in the area, specifically mentioning Queen’s Mountain, Shui Chuen O, and Tuen Mun Hintian. One commenter, a frequent delivery driver in the village, observed a high volume of takeaway deliveries, suggesting frequent, potentially non-resident, activity.
The Housing Authority has launched a “Report Abusive Public Housing Award” to encourage reporting of misuse.
