Applications for Light Public Housing (LPH) started on June 24. The Acting Secretary for Housing, Mr Victor Tai, along with District Service Teams (DSTs) (Note 1), visited LPH mock-up units today (June 28) together with a group of citizens interested in knowing more about, and applying for, LPH. He encouraged eligible members of the public living in inadequate housing to apply for LPH.
 
     Mr Tai, the DSTs and about 60 members of the public interested in knowing more about, and applying for, LPH visited LPH mock-up units at Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok, this afternoon, enabling those interested to see for themselves the design and basic facilities of the units as well as to understand the ancillary facilities to be provided within the project. Representatives of the Housing Bureau (HB) and members of the DSTs also answered questions about LPH applications on the spot.
 
     Mr Tai said that the number of LPH applications received has been overwhelming. Around 5 800 applications were received as at 3pm today. He said that the environment and ancillary facilities of LPH are far better than those of the inadequate housing. The first two LPH projects, covering both Urban and Extended Urban/New Territories, have their respective advantages and offer an affordable rental level. He encouraged those in need and eligible to grasp the opportunity and apply as soon as possible to give themselves and their families a chance to improve their living environment.
 
     Mr Tai also visited the LPH mock-up units at Choi Hing Road with the Kwun Tong District Council today and briefed its members on the project and application details.
 
     LPH mainly caters for general applicants, i.e. families with two or more members and elderly one-person applicants, waiting for traditional public rental housing (PRH) for three years or more with priority given to family applicants to meet their pressing housing needs. The HB has sent LPH application forms by post to those eligible earlier this month. Interested applicants who submit the duly completed application forms on or before July 15 will be handled with priority. From July 16 and beyond, the HB will continue to accept applications, which will be handled upon completion of processing the application forms submitted on or before July 15.  
 
     The LPH Phase 1 application includes two projects at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, and Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok, respectively, providing a total of about 4 440 units for gradual intake anticipated from the first quarter of 2025 onwards. The estimated monthly rent for the Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, project ranges from about $740 to $1,420, while that for the Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok, project ranges from about $1,110 to $2,650, depending on the unit size (Note 2). For enquiries, please visit the LPH website of the HB (www.hb.gov.hk/eng/lph), call 3464 0700, or send email to lphapp@hb.gov.hk.
 
Note 1: Alongside the implementation of tenancy control on subdivided units (SDUs) in January 2022, the Government has engaged non-governmental organisations to set up six DSTs (i.e. New Home Association Hong Kong Island Service Centre (Hong Kong Island); Y. T. M. Concern For Livelihood Association (Kowloon West); Hong Kong Single Parents Association (Kowloon West); New Home Association Kowloon West Service Centre (Kowloon Central and East); New Territories Association of Societies (Community Services) Foundation (New Territories West); and Shatin Inhabitants Association (New Territories East)) to reach out to the grassroots through their networks for promoting tenancy control on SDUs at the district level and providing relevant information to SDU households.
 
Note 2: Rents vary depending on the unit size and the district. The rental level is preliminarily set at around 90 per cent of the rent of newly completed traditional PRH in the same district and is estimated based on the current rent of traditional PRH. Having regard to the biennial rent review of the traditional PRH, the rent of LPH will also be adjusted accordingly.

              

     The International Arts Carnival (IAC), a summer arts festival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will present "Magic-go-round", the first magic theatre production by world-class magician Louis Yan from July 26 to 28.
 
     In this production, Yan will skilfully meld his craft with celebrated fairytales and introduce new magic tricks. Audiences will have the chance to be invited onstage to perform magic with the master. The show will also feature famous illusionist and "America’s Got Talent" contestant, Hiroki Hara, as a guest star.
 
     Yan is the only Hong Kong magician to have won championships at magic competitions in both the United States and Europe, as well as the Merlin Award, also known as the "Oscars" among professional magicians. He is the holder of two Guinness World Records, namely "The Largest Magic Lesson" and "The Fastest Time of Escape with Straitjacket and Chains Underwater", the former breaking the previous record by master magician David Copperfield. His magic world tour has brought him to many different places such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Toronto, Melbourne and Sydney.
 
     In "Magic-go-round", magician Louis's daughter mysteriously disappears. He thus embarks on a journey in search of his loved one. As he revives all the fond memories with his daughter, he makes his way through different fairytale worlds, unearthing hidden secrets and clearing one hurdle after another with his magical powers.
 
     "Magic-go-round" will be held at 7.30pm on July 26, and 3pm on July 27 and 28 at the Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium. Tickets priced at $240, $360 and $460 (half-price tickets for children) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone booking, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.
 
     This year's IAC will run from July 5 to August 11 featuring a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups and artists. In addition to acrobatics, magic, dance, music, theatre and puppetry, the IAC will also offer film screenings, online programmes, parent-child workshops and an exhibition.

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 28) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From June 21 to yesterday (June 27), the CHP recorded one imported DF case; the patient had been to Malaysia during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday, 31 cases of DF, including 29 imported and two local cases, had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.

     According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmission, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, had resulted in close to an historic high of over 5 million cases and more than 5 000 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Peru, have recorded over 9 million cases, a record number. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

     "Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     â€‹DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
     

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     â€‹The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

     Police today (June 28) laid holding charges against a 43-year-old man with four counts of attempted murder.

     The man was arrested on June 26 in suspected connection with an attempted murder and attempted suicide case in Tuen Mun on the same day, in which a 44-year-old woman and three girls, aged 13, 15 and 16 respectively, were sent to hospital in conscious state.

     The case will be mentioned at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (June 29) morning.

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (June 28).
 
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
 
     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.