Rents for five new public housing blocks set at $85.5 psm

This meant that 36% of the flats can be rented below $2,500 monthly.

Rents for 3,701 flats in five new blocks at four existing public housing rental estates had been set at $85.5 per sqm per month (psm), the Housing Authority announced. The rate will apply to all flats of the five new blocks.

This equates to more than 36% of the flats costing below $2,500 a month.

The rents are inclusive of rates, management fees and maintenance costs, the authority added.

Those who are allocated new flats but cannot afford the rents can request refurbished flats at lower rents or apply for assistance under the Rent Assistance Scheme.

The five blocks will be completed between January and June 2020. They include 754 flats in Fu Shan Estate, 1,033 flats in Tung Wui Estate, 826 flats in Yue Wan Estate and 1,088 flats in Pak Tin Estate.