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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority :
Rents for 7,751 flats in the Housing Authority¡¯s (HA) two new public rental housing (PRH) estates to be completed in the latter half of this year will be set at the reduced district best rent levels.
The reduced inclusive best rent of $56 per square metre per month for flats in urban district will apply to the 4,584 flats in six Non-standard blocks in Upper Ngau Kok Estate Phase 2 and 3.
The rent for the 3,167 flats in five New Harmony blocks in Ching Ho Estate Phase 1 in Fanling will be set at $39.60 per square metre per month.
¡°Under this rent fixing exercise, more than 87 per cent of the flats are set at a rent level below $1,800 per month,¡± a spokesman for the HA said today (May 19), adding that PRH rents, inclusive of rates, management and maintenance costs, were heavily subsidised.
With the passage of the Housing (Amendment) Ordinance in June 2007, the HA implemented a rent reduction of 11.6 per cent in August 2007. The best rent levels for all districts have also been reduced by 11.6 per cent correspondingly.
¡°Low-income households who cannot afford the rents of the new flats will be offered refurbished flats in older estates where they can apply for Rent Assistance Scheme immediately,¡± the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, May 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:30
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