Applications opened on Monday for the first batch of light public housing flats, with hundreds of hopefuls turning up at the Housing Authority's office in Lok Fu.

The authority said it had received some 1,800 applications by 6pm on Monday.

More than 4,000 units in Yuen Long and Ngau Tau Kok will be ready early next year.

The modular homes are a stop-gap measure designed to improve the living conditions of those waiting for public housing, with priority given to families.

Applicants, who must have been on the waiting list for public housing for at least three years, will still be eligible for traditional flats.

Accompanying her mother, Bibi said getting one of the new flats would help them save money on rent.

"I think the money we pay for rent in private, we can save HK$7,800. I hope my mom can get [a flat] as we don't know who can get them as there are many people applying," she said.

A man surnamed Law said he lives in a subdivided flat in Tseung Kwan O and has been queuing for a public unit for four years.

"The government rolled out the [light public housing] plan and I am eligible, so I came here to apply. It is undoubtedly better than living in subdivided flats, it has everything," he said.

Victor Lee, 64, said he would like to move to one of the modular flats while he waits to get a traditional unit.

"Right now I live in To Kwa Wan, one of the subdivided apartments in Hong Kong. The living condition is poor and there is [only] enough room for myself and my dog," he said.

Successful applicants will be notified by the last quarter of this year.