Elderly persons living either alone or in household with all members aged 60 or above in public rental flats may apply to the Social Welfare Department for a special grant for installation of the EAS if they are Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. For those who are not receiving CSSA, they may apply to the Housing Department for an EAS Grant if they satisfy the necessary requirements.

The Rent Allowance for Elderly Scheme (RAES) was launched as a pilot scheme in August 2001 to give elderly applicants an arrangement to draw cash rent allowances to lease private accommodation in lieu of public rental housing (PRH) allocation.

However, the Housing Authority's Subsidised Housing Committee agreed on 25 September 2003 to phase out the pilot RAES. We have ceased to accept new application.

Existing beneficiaries, upon expiry of the current private leases, can opt for PRH units or cash rent allowances provided that they still meet the prevailing eligibility criteria.