Keen interest expected in flats

The Housing Authority expects a good response to six Home Ownership Scheme projects that start receiving applications today.

The last batch of flats was over-subscribed sixfold, but the authority did not say whether it expected a higher subscription rate for its latest 5,195 flats, selling at 45 per cent below market value.

'Quality projects coupled with discounted selling prices, Home Ownership Scheme flats in Phase 20B will surely be very attractive to applicants,' said Assistant Director of Housing Cheng Yao-kong.

The six projects include 2,660 flats in Tsz Wan Shan, Wong Tai Sin and Wang Tau Hom, which will be completed next year.

The price for a flat in Wong Tai Sin starts at $802,400, while a flat in Tsz Oi Court stage 3, Tsz Wan Shan, starts at $981,000. A further 2,535 flats in 11 blocks will be available in Tsing Yi, Tin Shui Wai and Tai O. Studio flats will be housed in four six-storey blocks in Tai O.

The deadline for applications is April 12. A ballot will be drawn at the end of next month.