Editorial | Hong Kong’s public estates must put stop to illegal parking
Housing Department needs to act in wake of call by ombudsman over abuse that poses risk to Hong Kong residents
Public housing is an important lifeline for Hong Kong’s low-income citizens. It rightly needs shelter from abuse by those not entitled to the safety net. So, it has been good to see authorities focus on protecting the system, most recently with the ombudsman’s call for a crackdown on illegal parking at many public estates.
Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi said his office had uncovered an “unsatisfactory” situation with illegally parked cars on estate roads, sometimes blocking emergency access routes. Chan admitted enforcement may be a challenge, but warned of serious consequences unless the Housing Department took tougher action.
The ombudsman recently investigated how the department managed illegal parking at the 195 public housing estates under its care. Site inspections turned up “prolonged illegal parking” by many vehicles, particularly at night. Inspections focused on complexes where vehicle barrier gates cannot be installed.
Despite the criticism, there was positive feedback on how some estates cope. Yau Oi Estate in Tuen Mun was praised for its use of road controls outside office hours and strengthening enforcement with its mobile unit and police. The estate also used immobilisation devices, had stepped up security patrols and installed extra surveillance cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to enhance real-time monitoring. Other housing managers have been told to step up their game. The department has accepted the recommendations.
Some lawmakers underlined the need for sensitive enforcement, for example, by issuing warnings before calling tow trucks. The approach may work during peak times and holidays, as long as emergency access roads are not blocked. Public estates comprise more than 780,000 households and about 2 million residents. More than a half million private cars are licensed in a city where new vehicle registrations routinely outpace available parking spaces.
Firm yet practical management must be applied to balance the supply of affordable housing with increasing demand in one of the world’s most densely populated and expensive cities. Work to tackle the unfair use of flats and now parking spaces may help turn the tide of abuse that has weighed on the system for decades.