Housing Secretary Winnie Ho on Wednesday said she is confident the waiting time for public housing could be cut to 4.5 years by the end of the government's term next year.

This came after Chief Executive John Lee announced the target in the Policy Address this month. The government also aims to cut the waiting time to less than four years by 2030.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, Ho said the waiting times could still vary as some factors cannot be fully controlled, such as the number of units completed and recovered each year.

But she expressed confidence in cutting the time to 4.5 years by 2026-27.

“I hope there is a stable and balanced housing ladder, which requires dynamic assessment and adjustment,” she said.

“We need to plan for the long term and have a goal, but social conditions will change – such as changes in the economy and people’s demands, so we need to make adjustments.

“We must keep an eye on the indicators and also listen to public opinions.”

Ho also said the Northern Metropolis plays a crucial role in housing supply, as it offers large and flat land plots.

She said each residential estate could accommodate 5,000 to 6,000 units, making it highly cost-effective.


Edited by Aaron Tam