Hong Kong's HOS 2024 Applications Open October 3 for Three Weeks; 7,132 Flats Available.

2024-09-24 19:18 Last Updated At：19:28

Applications for Sale of Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2024 to commence from October 3 onwards

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

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Applications for Sale of Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2024 to commence from October 3 onwards Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Applications for Sale of Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2024 to commence from October 3 onwards Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (September 24) that the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2024 (HOS 2024) will open for applications for three weeks, starting from 8am on October 3 until 7pm on October 23.

"Eligible applicants may submit online applications or paper applications for HOS 2024 either in person or by post. The application fee is $290. Balloting is expected to be held in the fourth quarter this year and flat selection is expected to start from the second quarter of 2025. Flats for sale include a total of 7 132 flats in five new HOS developments at a wide variety of locations (including Kai Tak, Yau Tong, Kwun Tong, Tung Chung and Tuen Mun), providing choices of flats of various sizes with saleable areas ranging from about 17.3 square metres to about 47.4 sq m (about 186 square feet to about 510 sq ft) (Annex 1). Large flats, with saleable areas ranging from about 41.1 sq m to about 47.4 sq m (about 442 sq ft to about 510 sq ft), account for about a quarter of the total number of flats. Meanwhile, around 70 rescinded HOS flats (as at July 31, 2024) from developments sold under HOS 2020, HOS 2022 and HOS 2023 (Annex 2), and a new batch of about 350 recovered Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) flats are also included," a spokesman for the HA said.

Prices

The HA continues to price HOS flats at an affordable level. The average flat selling prices are set at a 30 per cent discount from the current assessed market values, i.e. for sale at 70 per cent of the assessed market values. The selling prices of flats in the five new HOS developments range from $1.43 million to $4.67 million with an average selling price of about $2.7 million.

"Based on the average flat selling price at about $2.7 million (saleable area of about 35 sq m or about 380 sq ft), the mortgage payment is only $11,600 per month assuming that he/she takes out a mortgage at 90 per cent of the flat price at a term of 30 years and interest rate of 4 per cent. For one to two-person flats, which we believe will be welcomed by young families and young people, the average selling price is about $1.7 million and the mortgage payment is only $7,300 per month. As some banks have just announced to adjust the mortgage interest rate downward, the mortgage payment will also be reduced," the spokesman said.

The list prices of the unsold TPS flats in the 39 estates range from about $140,000 to $1.28 million, and the discounts range from 79 per cent to 84 per cent of assessed market values. The final price range will depend on the recovered TPS flats that will be put up for sale under in this sale exercise.

Priority for flat selection and quota

"The order of priority for flat selection by eligible applicants will be determined by the application category, quota allocation and ballot results. A quota of 2 900 flats will be set for families applying under the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members and the newly introduced Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme (Priority Newborns Scheme). Family applicants with babies born on or after October 25, 2023, will be eligible to apply for the Priority Newborns Scheme if their babies are aged 3 or below on the closing date of the application of HOS 2024. Separately, a quota of 700 flats will be set for one-person applicants," the spokesman said.

Application arrangements

Starting from tomorrow (September 25), application forms, application guides, and sales booklets for HOS flats (sales leaflets for rescinded HOS flats and recovered TPS flats) will be available on the HA/Housing Department (HD)'s designated website for HOS 2024 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/hos/2024), while printed copies can be obtained during opening hours from the Housing Authority Customer Service Centre (HACSC) in Lok Fu, the office of the HA's Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Sales Unit in Kwun Tong, estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, rental estate offices of the Hong Kong Housing Society and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.

Sales exhibition in respect of HOS developments and TPS estates under HOS 2024 will be available for public viewing at the HACSC in Lok Fu starting from September 25 up to the end of the application period. Related information is also available on the HA/HD's designated websites.

"Members of the public are reminded to read carefully the application guide before submission of applications. They may call the 24-hour HA Sales Hotline at 2712 8000 on matters concerning applications for the HOS 2024," the spokesman said.

Enforcement of domestic property ownership restriction

The HA reminds applicants, "Starting from HOS 2023, Green Form applicants, same as White Form applicants, should not have owned any domestic property in Hong Kong during the period from 24 months preceding the closing date for submitting the application up to the time of purchase. The HD has set up a data-matching mechanism together with the Land Registry, and over 1 100 applications of the previous HOS sale exercise were identified with records of domestic property ownership in Hong Kong. Relevant applications have been cancelled accordingly, and depending on the circumstances of individual cases, the HA will consider taking prosecution action."

Hong Kong Reports No New Chikungunya Cases, Intensifies Mosquito Control Efforts in Affected Areas

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (December 27), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 81 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10 of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts, to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Hong Kong's HOS 2024 Applications Open October 3 for Three Weeks; 7,132 Flats Available.

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