Deadline Day Sees Final Rush Of HOS Flat Applications

Aspiring homeowners have rushed to submit last-minute applications for subsidised Home Ownership Scheme flats, with Thursday the deadline for the latest batch of units up for grabs.

Nearly nine thousand flats are up for sale at seven projects in North Point, Kai Tak, Kwun Tong, Kowloon City, Sha Tin, Tseung Kwan O and Tung Chung.

The units are being sold at discounted prices of between HK$1.24 million and HK$5.31 million.

A woman in her 60s told RTHK she was trying her luck again after 20 failed attempts to get a subsidised home.

“I am not happy. There are people who managed to get their flats just after one try. I have tried 20 times,” the woman, who gave her surname as Choi, said.

Choi said she hopes the government will increase the supply of subsidised flats because not many people can afford private units.

Another man, who gave his surname as Wong, said he hopes to be able to move into a larger flat with his family.

“We have been planning to purchase a property, just waiting for an opportunity,” he said. “Even if the property prices fall, it’s not a problem because it’s not an investment but for self-use.”

As of 5pm on Thursday, the Housing Authority said it had received around 220,000 applications.

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