Hong Kong Metropolitan University's (HKMU) School of Arts and Social Sciences Public and Social Policy Research Centre and Think Tank New Era Governance Research Centre (NEGRC) jointly organised a forum on 16 May with the theme of facilitating property purchases for young people. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin and other guests introduced the Government's housing policies and exchanged views with HKMU students on housing and home purchase issues.

Guests attending the forum included Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin, Executive Council Member and Legislative Council Member Hon Stanley Ng Chau-pei, Legislative Council Member Hon Andrew Lam Siu-lo, Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors Vice-President Tony Wan Wai-ming, Political Assistant to the Secretary for Housing Au Yeung Man-sin, Convener of NEGRC and Legislative Council Member Hon Tang Ka-piu, and Executive Director of NEGRC Maggie Mak Lai-kuen, together with HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences Prof. Charles Kwong Che-leung, and HKMU School of Arts and Social Sciences Assistant Professor Dr Arbitor Ma Yiu-chung. The guests and HKMU management held group discussions with nearly 40 HKMU students. HKMU and NEGRC will consolidate the discussion findings and submit a report to the Government to enable further understanding of the expectations of young people regarding home purchases.

In her remarks during the event, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said that it often takes the government five to ten years to explore land for housing and developing infrastructure. She said she hoped that young people would support the Government's ongoing planning and development of new land and work together to cultivate a sense of attainment, happiness and security among young people. She said she valued the chance to exchange views with HKMU students to get a better understanding of the need for housing and upward mobility among young people, which would also be conducive to the formulation of housing policies in the future.

HKMU Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences Prof. Charles Kwong Che-leung pointed out that policy research is evidence-based, with data collected, analysed and validated before policies are formulated. He said the forum would help promote tripartite collaboration among the Government, think tanks and institutions and facilitate the development of housing policies that better cater for the needs of young people.

The group discussions focused on subsidised housing, the housing needs of young people, young people's aspirations for a Starter Homes Pilot Project and youth-friendly city planning. During the discussion, most of the students expressed their intention to buy private housing. However, some said there were not enough choices for home purchases and hoped that the Government would build more affordable housing for the sandwich class and explore the possibility of a “rent-and-buy” policy to reduce their debt burden. The discussions were fruitful, and all parties looked forward to more cooperation in the future.

Post on Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin's social media:
https://www.facebook.com/winnieho.sh/posts/pfbid02QirxcVjUGjjPwU5wAXKUBwgS9VXoc33kCJUqFfqi59kvXJ88CCQp1TAFfL14faDWl