Shorter public housing queue by 2027: housing chief

Housing Secretary Winnie Ho expressed confidence that the waiting time for public housing could be reduced to 4.5 years by the end of the government's term in 2027. This target was announced by Chief Executive John Lee in this month's Policy Address. The government aims to shorten the waiting time to under four years by 2030. During an appearance on a Commercial Radio programme, Ho noted that factors such as the number of units completed and recovered annually could still influence the waiting times.

However, she remained optimistic about achieving the 4.5-year target by 2026-27. Ho emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable and balanced housing ladder, which necessitates dynamic assessment and adjustment. She stated, "We need to plan for the long term and have a goal, but social conditions will change – such as changes in the economy and people's demands, so we need to make adjustments."

Additionally, Ho highlighted the Northern Metropolis as a key player in housing supply due to its abundant and flat land plots. She added that each residential estate in this region could potentially house 5,000 to 6,000 units, making it a highly cost-effective approach.