Kai Tak appeared to be a top choice as people put in applications on Monday for homes in the second phase of Hong Kong's light public housing scheme.

Four projects in Kai Tak, Kwun Tong, Tuen Mun and Sheung Shui will provide more than 5,000 units, with monthly rents of between HK$860 and HK$3,270.

Successful tenants will be able to move in from the fourth quarter of this year.

One of those putting in an application, Chaves, told RTHK that Kai Tak would be a convenient location for her.

"I've been waiting for the traditional public housing for almost 11 years. I'm paying rent every month, and my savings are just going. [I currently live in] a subdivided unit and there are four units in all. But the rent is quite a bit, I pay HK$5,000 a month," she said.

"I'm retired. I'm 73. I thought I'd apply for this because of Kai Tak. I do a lot of church work, so Kai Tak is easy for me to access the church in Tsim Sha Tsui."

A man surnamed Choi was also hoping to get a unit in Kai Tak.

"I live in Kam Sheung Road (in Yuen Long) now and it's inconvenient," he said.

An applicant surnamed Ng also said the Olympic Avenue project adjacent to Kai Tak MTR station was his choice.

"I chose Kai Tak. It's more convenient, cleaner and more airy. I live in transitional housing in Chai Wan but the rent is just too expensive. It's around HK$3,000 a month," he said.

The government aims to build a total of about 30,000 light public flats by 2028 as a short-term measure for those waiting for traditional public units.

Successful applicants under the first light public housing phase will be able to move into the temporary new homes in Yuen Long and Ngau Tau Kok in March and June respectively.