Housing Bureau to undergo structural reform after Wang Fuk Court report
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong announced a structural reform of the Housing Bureau following the Wang Fuk Court report. The reform includes a new Public Housing Building Control Section and a project-based regulatory system. Winnie Ho resigned as Housing Secretary.
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong announced on 29 October that the Housing Bureau will undergo a major structural reform following the release of the Wang Fuk Court report. Winnie Ho has resigned as Secretary for Housing to take political responsibility, with Wong stepping in to oversee the bureau.
Speaking at a press conference, Wong said a new Public Housing Building Control Section will be established within November 2026 to replace the existing Independent Checking Unit. The new unit will regulate maintenance works for all public housing estates and subsidised housing estates sold or divested by the Housing Authority. It will also oversee ongoing new public housing construction projects and relevant works in existing estates that have not been divested.
The new control unit will implement a project-based management model. Authorities will coordinate and handle regulation of maintenance works on an individual, project-by-project basis. The government believes this system will improve coordination and communication efficiency while enabling stronger risk control. The unit will set up a dedicated project team for every maintenance project to coordinate engineering matters, and assign a liaison officer to establish contact with each project's owners' corporation. Wong said the initiative aims to put residents first through one-stop communication and services.
The Buildings Department will deploy a directorate officer to be stationed within the new control unit to strengthen inter-departmental communication. The officer will provide professional advice on enforcing the Buildings Ordinance and assist in training personnel.
Wong added that the Development Bureau is pushing forward amendments to the Buildings Ordinance to enhance regulation of major building maintenance works, construction professionals and contractors. The new control unit will enforce the revised legal requirements and cooperate with the Buildings Department's audit and monitoring team on regular audits to ensure regulatory effectiveness and align enforcement approaches and standards.
Wong stressed the reforms are based on the independent committee's report recommendations, and he will work closely with the Housing Bureau, policy bureaus and government departments to implement them.