Hong Kong public rental housing waiting time drops to 5.3 years

The average waiting time for public rental housing in Hong Kong has decreased to 5.3 years, the lowest level in six years, according to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. This marks a substantial reduction from the 6.1-year peak recorded in 2022, reflecting a 13% decrease. The improved waiting time is attributed to increased efficiency in allocating public flats and a decline in the number of applicants due to effective measures against housing abuse. Notably, the waiting period for elderly one-person applicants has also dropped to 3.4 years, the shortest in four years. Lee expressed confidence in further reducing the waiting time to 4.5 years within five years, emphasizing ongoing efforts to tackle Hong Kong's housing challenges. Analysts noted that the recovery of over 10,000 public flats annually has significantly contributed to these improvements.