Secretary for Development Chan Mo-po suggested on Wednesday that landowners willing to donate land for affordable housing development should talk to non-profit-making organizations (NPOs), such as the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), about how their goodwill should be exercised. However, it should be noted that Chan's suggestion is not the government's way of rejecting land donations, but rather a way of respecting donors' intentions as they have their own specific goals and conditions, which may differ from the government's. It would create problems if the government itself deals with the land on behalf of donors.

Henderson Land Development Company Chairman , Lee Shau-kee, recently offered to donate farmland in the New Territories for the development of a housing estate providing 10,000 units, priced at about HK$1 million each, as a gift for young people aspiring to become homeowners. It's an unprecedented charitable gesture by a local property developer and shows Lee's commitment to fulfilling his social responsibilities, a move that can help ease public resentment over the super-dominant real-estate industry and super-rich developers.

Indeed, it is best for donors to join hands with NPOs in developing affordable housing on the land they donate because NPOs are more flexible than the government, which must stick to existing policies that might go against donors' principles. Besides, the government can and will be involved, one way or another, when construction work on donated land gets underway, because many related works require government scrutiny and approval. Relevant authorities, therefore, should do their best to help land donors and NPOs turn their goodwill into reality.

The HKHS, a professional NPO formed to facilitate government housing policies, has rich experience in projects like the Sandwich Class Housing Scheme and subsidized housing for senior citizens over the years, as well as in residential estate management. It is more flexible than the government in many ways and, therefore, better suited to helping land donors put their offers to good use.

The HKHS has expressed willingness to study Lee's offer, but it will need a lot of government assistance when it comes to the actual construction projects. The government must also step in if the project affects third-party interests and requires compensation. It may need to adjust existing policies to make it easier for people like Lee to donate land in future.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on July 4.

(HK Edition 07/05/2013 page9)