The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) launched a bus body advertising campaign entitled “Good Tenants Come in All Ethnicities” last week to promote racial equality in tenancy. This is a continuation of the campaign that ran in MTR cabins from May to July this year. The advertisements will be displayed on 50 buses along various routes for three weeks.

The issue of discrimination on the basis of race while renting a residential unit has been brought up frequently by members of racial minority communities, particularly those belonging to lower income groups. In in-depth interviews as part of a study commissioned by the EOC in 2016, ethnic minority respondents reported that seeking of premises was one of the major difficulties they faced. The study found that discrimination in relation to tenancy and banking services were the most critical and intolerable as these have a direct impact on their daily lives.

The Race Discrimination Ordinance prohibits discrimination against a person on the ground of their race in the disposal or management of premises. Landlords and estate agents are bound by the ordinance.

In order to influence landlords and real estate agents to be more inclusive in their dealings with people from the non-Chinese communities, the EOC has worked with the Estate Agents Authority in providing training to their members. This advertising campaign is a further step to engage the public with a positive message of inclusion and equality.

EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin said, “The right to appropriate housing is a fundamental right, one that should not be denied to anyone on any grounds, including race. The lack of suitable housing can impact a person’s dignity and well-being.  In making Hong Kong truly inclusive and harmonious, we all have a role to play, as neighbours, landlords and tenants. I hope this campaign will encourage all landlords to be open and welcoming to tenants from all ethnicities and backgrounds.”

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Equal Opportunities Commission
15 November 2021

The EOC launched a bus body advertising campaign entitled “Good Tenants Come in All Ethnicities” to promote racial equality in tenancy.