(Policy Address 2022) 30,000 new light public housing units to be provided in next five years

19-10-2022 12:43 HKT

Hong Kong will issue measures to cope with the city’s public housing shortage by introducing 30,0000 new "Light Public Housing" units and shortening the waiting time for public housing.

In his Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government will introduce the new “light public housing (LPH)” which will bring about 30,000 units to be completed in five years.

Taking into account the new LPH units, overall public housing production will increase to around 158,000 units in the next five years (from 2023-24 to 2027-28), including the 12,000 PRH units provided under the PRH Advance Allocation Scheme. This represents an increase of some 50% compared to the previous five-year period (from 2022-23 to 2026-27).

“Those on the waiting list for traditional public housing for three years or more may apply for LPH for earlier allocation of units, and priority will be given to family applicants,” he said.

The government will also cap the waiting time for public housing from the current level (about six years) to about 4.5 years in four years' time, Lee noted.

He added the government will implement the Public Rental Housing Advance Allocation Scheme to adopt a phased approach to expedite the completion of some units.

“The scheme is expected that about 12,000 units will be available in the next five years for advance allocation of about three to 18 months,” Lee said.

He added the government will also provide better public space, facilities and estate environment for public housing residents.

“The Secretary for Housing will chair an action group to develop 'Well-Being' design guidelines for new public housing projects,” he noted.

For the private housing supply, Lee predicted the demand for private housing in the next 10 years will be 129,000 units, while the government will provide no less than 72,000 residential units in the next five years accordingly.

“The government will make available subsidized sale flats such as those under the Home Ownership Scheme, Green Form Subsidized Home Ownership Scheme, and Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents projects to meet the homeownership aspirations of the public,” he said.