By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-10-03 09:38:53 | Updated at 2024-10-04 23:18:05
1 day ago
New and expecting mothers are among those competing to buy a Hong Kong home in the first round of subsidised flat sales since a scheme was revamped to encourage families to have children by providing them priority access to the purchases.
Applications for the Home Ownership Scheme opened on Thursday, with those eligible entering a ballot system.
Serena Chau, an administrative worker who is 22 weeks pregnant, was among those trying her luck and said this would be her first time to apply for subsidised housing.
“I am applying for the newly launched scheme that prioritises newborns for home selection. This initiative significantly increases my chance of securing a home,” she said.
The Housing Authority has put up for sale 7,132 new subsidised homes this year under the scheme to help residents purchase affordable flats. The homes are expected to be completed between this year and 2027.
The prices of the homes are set between HK$1.43 million (US$183,400) and HK$4.67 million, 30 per cent off the market price, with sizes ranging from 186 sq ft to 510 sq ft.
