10,000 Hongkongers in subdivided homes apply for 4,400 ‘light public housing’ flats
- Housing minister Winnie Ho says response to scheme ‘overwhelming’, with priority application period ending on Monday
Nearly 10,000 underprivileged Hongkongers living in tiny subdivided or inadequate flats have applied to stay in the 4,400 homes available in the government’s “light public housing” scheme, with a priority period set to end on Monday.
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin on Sunday described the response as “overwhelming” and urged eligible residents to submit any last-minute applications to the programme, which has been hailed by the chief executive as a key measure to improve living conditions for those waiting for a spot in public housing.
Ho revealed the government had received more than 9,600 applications for the first batch of temporary flats provided in the two projects at Yau Pok Road in Yuen Long and Choi Hing Road in Ngau Tau Kok.
Successful applicants can expect to move into the 4,400 homes from the first quarter of next year.
Ho also visited residents in Tsuen Wan on Saturday to explain details of the programme, reassuring them not to worry about moving to another district.
“I have visited people who have only ever lived in the urban areas and had never lived in the New Territories. They moved to Yuen Long with big worries at first but then found it was easy to adapt,” Ho said in a Facebook post, citing her previous exchanges with those living in transitional housing.
“In about one or two weeks, with the help and support of management staff and neighbours, the residents found that it was easy to adapt and daily life and travel were very convenient too,” she added.