37 percent of the social housing applicants rejected

Applicants examine the list for public housing

The Housing Bureau has released the list of residents granted social housing units, having approved over 3,800 applications. However, about 37 percent of the applications were not approved. Applicants who were not approved either did not submit the required documentation, or their monthly income exceeded the maximum established to apply for social housing units.
Chan Kuan Kit, head of the bureau’s Social Housing Department, said that they hope for some of the families to move into the units next March, TDM reported.
“Firstly, we will handle the temporary housing subsidy and then we will arrange for them to move in as soon as possible. We estimate that in January we will issue a letter to the applicants and we will inform them to move as early as March,” he added.
While waiting for a social housing flat, residents can apply for a government subsidy, which can be granted until they move into the new apartments.
Lawmaker Au Kam San has urged the bureau not to be too strict when analyzing applications, as these citizens are amongst the most vulnerable group in Macau’s society. Out of 6,146 applications, only 3,841 were granted a social housing unit.
“The social housing is actually a social protection network. This network shouldn’t solely protect those who have never bought a house; it should also protect those who have been bankrupt before. We can’t ignore these people who need society’s protection,” said Au Kam San.
A member of the Public Housing Affairs Committee, Leong Kwai Peng, criticized the bureau for taking too much time to approve applications. In addition, she suggested the bureau adjust its criteria while “loosening up their reins.”
“Maybe they should loosen the limit of the maximum monthly income. They should also loosen up the limit for those applicants who have purchased a house or have benefited from previous housing subsidy schemes; they should deal with it with different measures,” she reiterated.
The Housing Bureau revealed that there are a total of 1,600 social housing units in Macau, with the majority built in Coloane. 2,700 more social housing apartments are scheduled to be built in Taipa and the Macau peninsula over the coming years.
Many residents were satisfied to see their names on the list, but are unsure how long it will take for them to be able to move in. Macau resident Ms Lei told TDM News that she hopes the government can speed up the process, as she has nowhere to live but her daughter’s house.
“My daughter and I are only getting a subsidy from the government. How can we afford private housing units, which will leave us no spare money for food?” another resident questioned.

ceramic tiles shed off in edifício do largo

Six buildings of the Edifício do Largo public housing complex have seen ceramic tiles shedding off the walls in their public hallways this winter. The fifth building suffered the severest wall tile shedding and loosening, whereas about two–thirds of its stories need repairs in the wall. So far, the shedding hasn’t caused any injuries, yet some residents have complained that the two-year old public housing units are of poor construction quality.