Hong Kong’s top judges are questioning a government body’s assertion that discriminatory treatment based on sexual orientation is sanctioned by the city’s mini-constitution. This debate arises as the Court of Final Appeal considers a final appeal regarding housing rights for same-sex couples.
The Housing Authority is defending its policies on public rental and subsidized housing, despite two previous rulings deeming them unconstitutional. Currently, the authority restricts public rental housing to traditional families and prohibits gay couples from residing together in subsidized flats under the Home Ownership Scheme.
In 2020, Nick Infinger successfully challenged the authority’s refusal to allow him and his same-sex spouse to apply for public rental housing as a family. A year later, Henry Li Yik-ho and Edgar Ng Hon-lam also won a legal battle against the HOS policy.