Construction begins on 17,000 light public housing units

Construction has commenced of the first batch of 17,000 light public housing units.

During the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, deputy financial secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said the target is to complete and occupy 2,100 units at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, by the first quarter of next year at the earliest.

The remaining three projects, located at Ngau Tau Kok, Tuen Mun, and Kai Tak, are expected to be completed in phases from the second quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026.

Regarding the second batch of approximately 13,000 units, the Housing Bureau will seek funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on Friday.

Before the ceremony, Wong, accompanied by Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin, visited a mock-up light public housing unit.

They also had a video conference with representatives of the mainland manufacturer producing the LPH prefabricated modules - Chevalier, China Railway joint venture.

Wong said the continuous advancement of the modular integrated construction method has resulted in a reduction in construction costs.

The cost of the first four projects has dropped from the original estimate of HK$14.9 billion to HK$11.9 billion, and the cost of the second batch from HK$11.5 billion to HK$9.8 billion.

"Money is not the most important factor,but time," Wong said. "The value of enabling families in need to move into adequate accommodations as soon as possible cannot be measured in monetary terms."

He also expressed gratitude to Sun Hung Kai Properties, which provided the site at Yau Pok Road free of charge.

Chairman Raymond Kwok Ping-luen of Sun Hung Kai Properties expressed his pleasure in witnessing the commencement of construction and hoped the project would help the government alleviate the pressure on the supply of public rental housing and improve the living environment for the grassroots.

Wong also expressed confidence in the occupancy rate of housing projects in the New Territories. He gave the example of the United Court in Yuen Long, where the occupancy rate has reached 98 percent after enhancing transportation and community facilities.

To facilitate smooth occupation, the Housing Bureau plans to announce the application arrangements for the first phase of light public housing in the second quarter of this year.

After the ceremony, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin provided details about the Yuen Long project, saying it offers one- and two-person units and three-to-four person accommodation.

The units for one or two people are approximately 140 square feet and rent for HK$740 per month. The three-four person units range from 260 to 270 square feet and rent for about HK$1,420 per month.