Tenants are concerned about future management of the estates once all or part have been sold. Explain scheme clearly in context of the Government's overall housing strategy. A majority of the tenants believe that the Government wants to sell public rental flats in order to shift increasingly expensive maintenance costs of the estates to the tenants. There is also an impression among many that the Government might pressure tenants to buy their flats. The Government should reaffirm its commitment to provide affordable public housing to those in need and no one will be pressured to buy.
Tenants can wait to see how the scheme works before deciding.
Furthermore, the Government should put the scheme in the overall context that the option to buy is designed to cater to changing circumstances where more tenants are able to afford to buy their public flats. Make sustained effort to explain the scheme to potential buyers Adequate manpower is essential in order for officers to travel to the estates to explain the scheme. Visits may need to be made more than once. Cooperation and coordination among Housing Bureau, Housing Department, Home Affairs Bureau, District Offices and Housing Authority are vital. Involve the tenants in finalizing the scheme The Government could conduct surveys in each estate to find out about demographics and socio-economic characteristics of estates.