Hong Kong to expedite approvals to keep construction sector from contracting

Hong Kong authorities will speed up the approval of private construction projects and related foundational works that have already been allocated funding to prevent the industry from shrinking.

The government announced the new measures on Friday amid concerns from the construction and architectural sectors that repeated failed land bids had prompted some firms to lay off employees or force staff to go on unpaid leave last year.

“The Buildings Department and Lands Department will speed up the approval of private construction,” the Development Bureau said on social media.

Meanwhile, the Housing Authority also reaffirmed its commitment to help low-income families by providing affordable rental homes and to assist the lower to middle class with buying their own flats.

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said at a regular open meeting of the authority on Friday that there was significant demand from young people to buy flats. The Housing Bureau would increase the ratio of subsidised homes in response, she said.

In last year’s policy address, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he would boost housing prospects for residents by pledging to review the supply in the second half of the coming decade, aiming to increase the proportion of public rental flats and subsidised homes from 70-30 to 60-40.

He earlier said that the government was in support of young people buying subsidised flats.