Housing | 42,699 applicants apply for 1,900 available flats

The Housing Bureau (IH) president Ieong Kam Wa stressed that another application for economic housing units might only come if the land resources are made available. Ieong was speaking on the sidelines of the draw outcome yesterday that determined the order of 42,699 candidates who are applying for 1,900 flats.
The IH head made it clear that whether or not the authorities would kick off a new application, depending on the availability of land resources and relevant urban planning for public housing. “If relevant conditions haven’t ripened, we won’t be able to say what the arrangement of the next economic housing application will be,” he explained.
The official dismissed the possibility of returning to the previous scoring method, claiming that the current scheme, which classifies applicants into three major groups for priority, embodied the appropriate sense of equity and efficacy.
“Objectively faced with a shortage of public housing, we see the current model as a more pragmatic system, which accentuates fairness and efficiency,” he told media. “At the current stage that we don’t have any intentions to amend the system.”
After the preliminary examination, up to 3,893 applications failed to make it to the final stage despite having entered the draw, which was the second step in the three-phase selection process. Ieong said that those applicants would not qualify for the flats even though they would place high in the rankings.
Mr Ieong revealed that the government’s study into the “new type of public housing” will be close to ready by the end of the year. Furthermore, the government is now also digesting the collection of public opinion that it gathered through a consultation on the social housing regulation amendment.
It was believed that successful grantees would start picking their preferred flats in order from the end of the year, as the bureau will approach them early next month for detailed certification for its ultimate scrutiny.
Starting from today, applicants should call 2835 6288 or visit the Housing Bureau’s website to learn more about the result of the draw. The outcome will also be available to view at eight designated venues from October 6 to 20.