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Winnie Ho Wing-yin

The latest news and top stories on Winnie Ho Wing-yin. Known for her extensive career in public service, she was appointed Secretary for Housing of Hong Kong in July 2022. A University of Hong Kong architecture graduate, her prior roles include Director of Architectural Services and Deputy Head of the Energizing Kowloon East Office. She has been instrumental in developing policies for regulating subdivided flats and introducing new housing options. Her work focuses on increasing housing supply, improving housing quality and reducing public housing waiting times, including overseeing Light Public Housing projects. She also played a key role in constructing Covid-19 isolation facilities.

Yang Fangxin is among residents stuck sweltering in subdivided flats. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s subdivided flats are turning into heat traps. But what’s the fix?

Welfare advocates call on authorities to take action as tenants grapple with steeper energy bills to ward off the heatwave.

2 hours ago

Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Road to improving Hong Kong’s taxi services far from smooth

2 Aug 2026 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong housing

Hong Kong gauges feedback on 50:50 split for public flats, subsidised sale homes

1 Aug 2026 - 11:24PM

Hong Kong tourism

Nearly 170 mainland Chinese motorists expected in Hong Kong under new scheme

Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme extended to five additional cities from Saturday, with daily quota of urban trips doubling to 200.

25 Jul 2026 - 8:45PM

A car travelling under the expanded Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme at Ocean Terminal carpark on Saturday. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong gears up for city’s first test run of fully driverless vehicles

Passenger vehicles being tested at Chek Lap Kok will no longer require person behind wheel as backup, but cars will still be monitored remotely.

23 Jul 2026 - 10:53PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Exclusive | Housing minister talks accountability, how to prevent another Tai Po fire

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says tragedy left profound impact on all involved departments and highlighted need to strengthen oversight.

29 Jun 2026 - 12:21PM

Hong Kong housing

Exclusive | High ceiling to clear? First rectified subdivided flat to be approved soon

Housing minister Winnie Ho also says government still needs at least four years to fulfil Beijing’s order to eradicate substandard homes.

29 Jun 2026 - 10:52AMvideocam

There are currently about 220,000 residents living in subdivided homes. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong housing

Exclusive | Bigger space, better living: what Northern Metropolis public flats have to offer

Share of larger flats will also be increased to 25 per cent, with estates integrated with the area’s environment, heritage and technology.

29 Jun 2026 - 7:48PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Xia ‘fully recognises’ Hong Kong I&T efforts, urges city to seize opportunities

Beijing official visits Northern Metropolis sites, including Yuen Long microelectronics centre and Hetao hub.

17 Jun 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

Hong Kong housing

Fatal subdivided flat fire highlights need to tackle substandard homes: minister

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says victims had average living space of five square metres, presenting numerous fire safety hazards.

23 May 2026 - 5:42PM

The fire broke out at a subdivided flat in a 62-year-old building that was undergoing renovation. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong housing

35 families in Hong Kong shoebox flats face eviction since start of new rule

Occupants of another 40 subdivided flats who faced eviction last year are still living in Sham Shui Po’s Yee Wa Building, housing chief reveals.

20 May 2026 - 9:45PM

An elderly tenant in his subdivided flat at Yee Wa Building in Cheung Sha Wan. Housing authorities say 40 households that faced evictions last year are still living there. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong housing

Landlords of 5,557 subdivided homes seek 3-year grace period to fix flats

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says 780 subdivided homes have been granted a grace period.

11 Apr 2026 - 6:57PMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court residents in resettlement limbo slam ‘unhelpful’ engagement staff

Hongkongers displaced by Tai Po fire say they are frustrated with outreach officers’ failure to answer questions and explain rehousing options.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Donald Liao, architect who shaped Hong Kong’s housing landscape, dies at 96

Liao played key role in design and development of several landmark early housing estates, including Ma Tau Wai and Wah Fu.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:34PM

Donald Liao (pictured in 2019) has died at the age of 96. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong housing

Only 1 Hong Kong landlord seeks subdivided flat approval as new law takes effect

Housing Bureau receives 316 registration applications involving 1,160 subdivided flats for grace period, but only one to approve certification.

12 Mar 2026 - 11:45AMvideocam

At least 220,000 people in the city live in subdivided flats, Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong housing

Are new Hong Kong subdivided flat standards triggering a wave of evictions?

Basic Housing Units Ordinance takes effect on Sunday, with landlords required to make renovations to ensure properties meet new standards.

1 Mar 2026 - 1:39PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong reserves 4,000 homes for tenants hit by subdivided flats overhaul

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says demand from 30,000 affected households will be ‘digested’ over extended period.

8 Feb 2026 - 8:23PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

No Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle until Tai Po blaze probe wraps up: sources

Speculation is swirling that two ministers are leaving their cabinet appointments.

22 Jan 2026 - 9:38PM

John Lee has pledged to pursue full accountability of the city’s deadliest fire in decades. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong Housing Authority members urge clarity on Tai Po rental site swap

Committee members seek explanation as housing secretary says site is ‘good choice’ for resettling residents of fire-hit Wang Fuk Court.

19 Jan 2026 - 8:46PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong officials urge buy-back plan over ‘challenging’ Wang Fuk Court rebuild

Deputy finance chief Michael Wong says legal and ownership issues make rebuilding unfeasible, with buy-back option the fastest, most flexible solution.

14 Jan 2026 - 11:09PM

Hong Kong housing

Hong Kong private subsidised flat scheme suffers new blow as site reassigned

Tung Chung site, originally designated for Private Subsidised Sale Flat Pilot Scheme, will be handed over to Housing Society, authorities say.

31 Dec 2025 - 8:19AM

A residential site in Tung Chung, originally designated for the Private Subsidised Sale Flat Pilot Scheme, will be handed over to the Hong Kong Housing Society. Photo: Sam Tsang

Legislative Council election 2025

Last-ditch effort to get Hongkongers to vote in Legco poll, but turnout uncertain

City leader John Lee calls for refocus on reform and recovery, as analysts say city’s worst fire in decades would play decisive role in turnout rate.

6 Dec 2025 - 11:38PM

Workers set up a polling station in Sai Kung ahead of Sunday’s Legislative Council election. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

2,100 residents left homeless by Hong Kong fire move to temporary housing, hotels

Some residents opt to stay with friends and family to stay close to former neighbourhood following last week’s fire at Wang Fuk Court.

2 Dec 2025 - 1:04AMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire relief fund reaches HK$1.2 billion on huge outpouring from public

Donations surpass amount collected in first week after 2008’s devastating Sichuan earthquake.

1 Dec 2025 - 1:55AMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong authorities vow to help residents displaced by fire get through winter

Government will do its utmost to handle aftermath and resettle residents affected by the fire, Financial Secretary Paul Chan says in a blog post.

30 Nov 2025 - 11:43PM

Fire victims apply for emergency aid at the Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘What will happen to us’: fire-displaced Hong Kong residents facing uncertainty

After losing their homes in the devastating Tai Po inferno, families stress that temporary housing offers little relief or assurance.

28 Nov 2025 - 11:04PM

Displaced Wang Fuk Court residents move to transitional housing in Tai Po. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Death toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 83 as city rallies to help victims

At least 70 injuries reported as smoke continues to billow out of charred hulks of Wang Fuk Court residential blocks.

28 Nov 2025 - 4:37AM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong businessman Peter Law’s daughter buys US$46 million Mid-Levels flat

The purchase by Winnie Law follows her father’s US$140 million mansion sale in August – a sign of Hong Kong’s recovering property market.

31 Oct 2025 - 8:47AM

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Winnie Ho Wing-yin

Hong Kong’s subdivided flats are turning into heat traps. But what’s the fix?

Welfare advocates call on authorities to take action as tenants grapple with steeper energy bills to ward off the heatwave.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Road to improving Hong Kong’s taxi services far from smooth

Hong Kong gauges feedback on 50:50 split for public flats, subsidised sale homes

Nearly 170 mainland Chinese motorists expected in Hong Kong under new scheme

Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme extended to five additional cities from Saturday, with daily quota of urban trips doubling to 200.

Hong Kong gears up for city’s first test run of fully driverless vehicles

Passenger vehicles being tested at Chek Lap Kok will no longer require person behind wheel as backup, but cars will still be monitored remotely.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Housing minister talks accountability, how to prevent another Tai Po fire

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says tragedy left profound impact on all involved departments and highlighted need to strengthen oversight.

Exclusive | High ceiling to clear? First rectified subdivided flat to be approved soon

Housing minister Winnie Ho also says government still needs at least four years to fulfil Beijing’s order to eradicate substandard homes.

Exclusive | Bigger space, better living: what Northern Metropolis public flats have to offer

Share of larger flats will also be increased to 25 per cent, with estates integrated with the area’s environment, heritage and technology.

Xia ‘fully recognises’ Hong Kong I&T efforts, urges city to seize opportunities

Beijing official visits Northern Metropolis sites, including Yuen Long microelectronics centre and Hetao hub.

Fatal subdivided flat fire highlights need to tackle substandard homes: minister

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says victims had average living space of five square metres, presenting numerous fire safety hazards.

35 families in Hong Kong shoebox flats face eviction since start of new rule

Occupants of another 40 subdivided flats who faced eviction last year are still living in Sham Shui Po’s Yee Wa Building, housing chief reveals.

Landlords of 5,557 subdivided homes seek 3-year grace period to fix flats

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says 780 subdivided homes have been granted a grace period.

Wang Fuk Court residents in resettlement limbo slam ‘unhelpful’ engagement staff

Hongkongers displaced by Tai Po fire say they are frustrated with outreach officers’ failure to answer questions and explain rehousing options.

Donald Liao, architect who shaped Hong Kong’s housing landscape, dies at 96

Liao played key role in design and development of several landmark early housing estates, including Ma Tau Wai and Wah Fu.

Only 1 Hong Kong landlord seeks subdivided flat approval as new law takes effect

Housing Bureau receives 316 registration applications involving 1,160 subdivided flats for grace period, but only one to approve certification.

Are new Hong Kong subdivided flat standards triggering a wave of evictions?

Basic Housing Units Ordinance takes effect on Sunday, with landlords required to make renovations to ensure properties meet new standards.

Hong Kong reserves 4,000 homes for tenants hit by subdivided flats overhaul

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says demand from 30,000 affected households will be ‘digested’ over extended period.

No Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle until Tai Po blaze probe wraps up: sources

Speculation is swirling that two ministers are leaving their cabinet appointments.

Hong Kong Housing Authority members urge clarity on Tai Po rental site swap

Committee members seek explanation as housing secretary says site is ‘good choice’ for resettling residents of fire-hit Wang Fuk Court.

Hong Kong officials urge buy-back plan over ‘challenging’ Wang Fuk Court rebuild

Deputy finance chief Michael Wong says legal and ownership issues make rebuilding unfeasible, with buy-back option the fastest, most flexible solution.

Hong Kong private subsidised flat scheme suffers new blow as site reassigned

Tung Chung site, originally designated for Private Subsidised Sale Flat Pilot Scheme, will be handed over to Housing Society, authorities say.

Last-ditch effort to get Hongkongers to vote in Legco poll, but turnout uncertain

City leader John Lee calls for refocus on reform and recovery, as analysts say city’s worst fire in decades would play decisive role in turnout rate.

2,100 residents left homeless by Hong Kong fire move to temporary housing, hotels

Some residents opt to stay with friends and family to stay close to former neighbourhood following last week’s fire at Wang Fuk Court.

Hong Kong fire relief fund reaches HK$1.2 billion on huge outpouring from public

Donations surpass amount collected in first week after 2008’s devastating Sichuan earthquake.

Hong Kong authorities vow to help residents displaced by fire get through winter

Government will do its utmost to handle aftermath and resettle residents affected by the fire, Financial Secretary Paul Chan says in a blog post.

‘What will happen to us’: fire-displaced Hong Kong residents facing uncertainty

After losing their homes in the devastating Tai Po inferno, families stress that temporary housing offers little relief or assurance.

Death toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 83 as city rallies to help victims

At least 70 injuries reported as smoke continues to billow out of charred hulks of Wang Fuk Court residential blocks.

Hong Kong businessman Peter Law’s daughter buys US$46 million Mid-Levels flat

The purchase by Winnie Law follows her father’s US$140 million mansion sale in August – a sign of Hong Kong’s recovering property market.

Editorial | Road to improving Hong Kong’s taxi services far from smooth

Exclusive | Housing minister talks accountability, how to prevent another Tai Po fire