Govt unveils Kowloon Bay light public housing project

Housing minister Winnie Ho said the launch of a light public housing project in Kowloon Bay symbolises the government's determination to resolve the issue of sub-divided flats. Residents began moving in on Monday into the project's 148 flats on Choi Shek Lane, which used to be a school campus. They will have to pay a monthly rent of between HK$1,200 and HK$3,300, and the block is a nine-minute walk away from Choi Hung MTR Station. Nearly half of the units range in size from 250 to 300 square feet, meant for families of three to four. Speaking at the moving-in ceremony, Ho said tenants could save thousands of dollars in rent every month compared with living in sub-divided flats. "Everyone can see that the current term government is very much determined to resolve the housing problem in Hong Kong," she said. "Some 20,000 light public housing flats will be completed by the end of the year. This housing supply provides a choice for residents living in dilapidated flats." The minister also noted the former school campus had been abandoned for some time, and converting it into public housing breathes new life not only to the premises, but also the neighbourhood nearby. She said facilities such as shops and laundry services could be used by the nearby community. Ho went on to note that a new registration system for basic housing units - or sub-divided flats that pass certain standards - began on Sunday. But landlords will be given time to register and renovate their flats as there is a year-long grace period. Edited by Tony Sabine