Talk of the town : Solving the housing problem
【明報專訊】The Housing Bureau has unveiled four more sites at Kai Tak, Ngau Tau Kok, Chai Wan, and Siu Lam to build light public housing (LPH) units as proposed in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address. Together with four sites announced earlier, the government has chosen eight sites for LPH in total.
As suggested by Chief Executive, John Lee, the government aims to "increase public housing supply in the first-five year period by enhancing quantity, speed, efficiency, and quality, and thereby shortening the waiting time for public housing."
The government aims to build about 30,000 LPH units in five years. LPH units provide simple and adequate accommodation for those in need within a short period of time. They will be provided mainly for applicants who have been waiting for traditional public housing for not less than three years, with priority for families.
Such public housing is 'light' and has a shorter construction period than that of traditional public rental housing. The rent of LPH is estimated to be about $570 to $2,650 depending on the size of the units, where the median rent of subdivided units(劏房) is about $4,800.
However, some people have criticised the selection of Kai Tak as a site for light public housing, as land in Kai Tak has been designated to the development of Kai Tak into the second central business district in Hong Kong. Using the land at Kai Tak for light public housing, they argue, might diminish the economic potential of the district.
■Grammar Booster
Unveil
If you unveil something new, you show it or make it known for the first time.
E.g. Companies from across the country are here to unveil their latest business plans.
■Gear up
The government aims to build about 30,000 LPH units in five years.
(True / False)
(Answer on next text)
■Glossary
efficiency (n) 效率
adequate (adv) 適當的
criticise (v) 批評
diminish (v) 降低
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第370期]
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