Light housing switch call to subdivided flat tenants

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said the queue for public housing units will continue to drop, with light public housing that was rolled out in 2024 continuing to play a significant role. Speaking on a radio programme, she called on those people who are currently living in subdivided flats with poor conditions to consider applying for light public housing scheme units. "For light public housing, the average waiting time is around three years," Ho pointed out. "Units located in the New Territories or extended urban areas have a waiting time of only about two years. "People who live in subdivided flats that are in a really poor condition, such as those that have safety, fire, and hygiene issues, should consider applying under our scheme." Ho said her bureau would also speed up traditional public housing supply – both rental ones and those under the Home Ownership Scheme – so residents can have a place to stay permanently. She said more than half of government-subsidised housing built in the future would be located in the Northern Metropolis given the ample land supply in the area. Ho also said the first two phases of two public housing estates in the area – Kwu Tung and Fanling North – would be completed by the end of this year, providing 5,000 and 3,000 units, respectively. The second phases of both estates will be completed next year. The average waiting time for public housing units now stands at 4.7 years, the lowest in eight years. Edited by Azam Khan