Group 1 - The overall waiting time for public housing in Hong Kong remains at 5.1 years, the lowest since Q1 2018 [1][3] - Approximately 7,900 general applicants were successfully arranged to move into traditional or "simple" public housing in Q3 of this year, including about 1,600 newly completed traditional units, 4,000 recovered traditional units, and 2,300 "simple" units [3] - The average waiting time for general applicants moving into "simple" public housing is significantly shorter at 3.1 years since the first project began allocation in Q1 of this year, indicating its effectiveness in improving living conditions for low-income families and reducing waiting times [3] Group 2 - The Hong Kong government plans to continue building public housing and actively promote remaining "simple" public housing projects, with approximately 9,500 units expected to be completed this year [3] - The target for the overall waiting time for public housing is to decrease to 4.5 years by the fiscal year 2026/2027, which remains unchanged [3]

Core Insights - The average waiting time for public housing in Hong Kong remains at 5.1 years as of September 2023, marking the lowest level since Q1 2018, and a reduction of 1 year compared to the previous administration's peak of 6.1 years [1][2] Group 1: Current Waiting Times and Arrangements - Approximately 7,900 general applicants were successfully arranged for public housing in Q3 2023, including around 1,600 new traditional public housing units, 4,000 recovered traditional public housing units, and 2,300 simplified public housing units [1] - Over 85% of general applicants who were arranged to move into traditional public housing units are located in urban or extended urban areas, where the waiting time is about 2 years longer than in the New Territories [1] - The average waiting time for general applicants moving into simplified public housing is significantly shorter at 3.1 years since the first project began allocation in Q1 2023 [1] Group 2: Future Housing Development Plans - The government plans to continue building public housing and actively promote remaining simplified public housing projects, with an estimated 9,500 units expected to be completed this year [2] - The overall public housing construction volume, including simplified public housing, is projected to reach 189,000 units over the next five years starting from 2026/27, representing an approximately 80% increase compared to the current administration's initial figures [2] - The target for the comprehensive waiting time for public housing is to reduce it to 4.5 years by the 2026/27 fiscal year [2]

Core Viewpoint - The upcoming policy report is expected to reintroduce the "Home Ownership Scheme for Renters," allowing public housing tenants to purchase their current units at affordable prices, while increasing public housing supply is anticipated to limit the impact on waiting times for public housing [1] Group 1: Policy Details - The Housing Authority will select several public housing estates for consultation to determine suitability for the reintroduced scheme [1] - The proposal aims to enable some public housing tenants to buy their units at affordable prices, with a significant increase in public housing supply expected over the next 5 to 10 years [1] Group 2: Impact on Public Housing - The comprehensive waiting time for public housing is expected to gradually shorten due to the anticipated completion of public housing units, transitional housing, and simplified public housing [1] - The impact of the reintroduced scheme is expected to be limited due to the increase in public housing supply [1] Group 3: Pricing Considerations - The pricing of units under the reintroduced scheme must at least cover construction costs, but the discount rate cannot be uniformly determined [1] - Recent increases in construction and maintenance costs complicate the establishment of a price cap, with some units in existing schemes already exceeding 1 million HKD [1]

Core Viewpoint - The average waiting time for public housing applications in Hong Kong has increased to 5.4 years, but this is considered a technical rebound rather than a long-term trend [1] Group 1: Public Housing Waiting Time - The average waiting time for public housing applications has risen to 5.4 years, which is an increase from the previous quarter [1] - Despite the increase, there is confidence that the long-term trend of decreasing waiting times will continue due to three positive factors: steady increase in public housing completions, the introduction of simplified public housing, and accelerated public housing turnover [1] - The waiting time may experience fluctuations in the coming quarters, but the overall trend is expected to remain downward [1] Group 2: Future Public Housing Allocation - The "absolute majority" of public housing allocations in the second quarter of 2025 will come from renovated units, indicating that measures to accelerate public housing turnover are effective [1] - Nearly half of the public housing units expected to be completed in the 2025-26 fiscal year are located in urban and extended urban areas, where applicants typically face longer waiting times, potentially impacting overall waiting times [1]