Hong Kong housing groups at loggerheads over open space plan for singles under 60
Authority says plan to build public rental flats for singles aged under 60 on open space at existing estates is feasible, but Society rejects proposal
The Housing Authority and the Housing Society disagree on the feasibility of a controversial proposal to build extra blocks of public rental flats on open space at estates to meet growing demand from single people under the age of 60.
The idea, raised last week as part of the city's long-term housing strategy, was floated to address the rising demand for homes from single people without lengthening the queue for family and elderly applicants.
But a spokesman for the society said it preferred to redevelop whole estates rather than adding blocks. "For these old estates, it will be more desirable to redevelop the whole estate to improve the living environment," he said.
On television yesterday, Secretary for Transport and Housing Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung said: "We're taking this step to satisfy demand."
He said the Housing Authority, the biggest provider of public flats, had assessed the plan and found it feasible.
Long-term Housing Strategy Steering Committee members Eddie Hui Chi-man and Michael Choi Ngai-min conceded members were divided on the proposal as some were worried that it would making living conditions worse for residents by taking away their open space and recreational facilities.
