A lawmaker said on Wednesday that subsidised homes to be put on the market from this year are more suitable for young families.

The flats will be missing traditional fixtures such as a kitchen stove and a hanging rack.

Speaking on RTHK's In the Chamber programme, Scott Leung said people don't cook as much as they did in the past, and they have other ways to dry their clothes.

"Nowadays, how many young families will cook at home, or even hang laundry? Many homes now come with a washing machine that has clean and dry functions and that does not require the need to hang clothes out to dry," he said.

The new subsidised homes will also see another change, with the main door facing a window instead of a toilet.

Leung, who is also a member of the Housing Authority, said the old design aimed to maximise the number of flats that could be built, but is considered unfavourable for feng shui and raises privacy concerns.

The Housing Bureau earlier said it would be looking into ways of cutting down unnecessary expenses, for example by not installing lights activated by motion sensors in public spaces at housing estates.

Leung welcomed the idea, but said that facilities such as security gates should be kept in place, and officials should also look into whether technology could be used to enhance security.