CE denies Light Public Housing costly

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu denied the criticism for the high costs of the Light Public Housing (LPH) units, saying the "simple calculations" should not be applied to measuring the government's intention to improve citizens' wellbeing.

In an economic forum this morning, Lee said the proposal for LPH aims to reduce at least one year of waiting time for people who live in less favourable circumstances.

His speech came after public concerns that each LPH flat could cost HK$890,000 to build on average - according to a proposal issued by the government claiming HK$26.8 billion will be put into the project of designing and construction for LPH in five years.

The figure was 37 percent higher than that of traditional public housing units, and the LPH flats are only intended to be used for around five years, sparking some not cost-effective criticism.

"The figures failed to consider the suffering of residents in tough living conditions and their desire to improve the environment," said Lee.

In a Legislative Council panel meeting on Monday, the housing chief Winnie Ho Wing-yin said LPH flats in low-storey blocks would price at about HK$550,000, which is similar to the figure for transitional housing; while LPH units for high-rise buildings will cost around HK$680,000, the same as traditional public rental units.

"The government is aiming to build the units quickly and on a limited scale," she added.