Govt picks 4 sites for planned light public housing
The government on Tuesday revealed that it picked four plots in Tuen Mun, Fanling and Sheung Shui to build light public housing flats.  Officials hope the units – first announced in Chief Executive John Lee's maiden policy address – can help shorten the waiting time for public flats.  In papers submitted to the Legislative Council, the Housing Bureau said the sites range from 0.8 to 8.9 hectares in size. They are located next to Castle Peak Hospital and Yan Tin Estate in Tuen Mun, Fairview Park and Fanling Golf Course.  The bureau said officials are also trying to locate more land in urban areas for similar projects, and would announce more details in the first half of next year once those sites are considered to be feasible. It estimated the Architectural Services Department would complete the first batch of flats, of around a thousand units, in the financial year of 2024-25. It added that it plans to seek around $26.8 billion in the first quarter of next year from Legco for their construction, while another $4 billion and $300 million would be needed for operating the flats and hiring extra manpower to implement the projects.