Hong Kong cuts waiting time for transitional housing for public flat applicants with newborns from 3 years to 2
- Adjustment of requirements for tenants of transitional housing aims ‘to promote fertility and create a childbearing environment’, government spokesman says
- Families with children born on or after October 25 and who have been waiting for traditional public flats for two years are eligible
The waiting time for transitional housing for Hong Kong public flat applicants with newborns has been slashed from three years to two, in the latest measure by the government to boost birth rates.
A government spokesman on Friday said the adjustment of requirements for tenants of transitional housing aimed “to promote fertility and create a childbearing environment”.
“The Housing Bureau anticipates the measures will help families [in need] with newborns … [to] break away from the difficulties swiftly and have a better quality of life,” he said.
Under the change that came into effect on Friday, families with children born on or after October 25 and who have been waiting for public flats for two years can be considered as Category A priority tenants for transitional housing. Other applicants are eligible only after waiting for three years.
Transitional housing is the provision of short-term accommodation for individuals or families waiting to be allocated a permanent flat by authorities.
Under the policy, organisations operating transitional housing should allocate at least 80 per cent of a project’s flats to Category A tenants.
Interested families must submit applications for transitional housing before their child’s first birthday.
