â€‹The Housing Bureau (HB) today (June 13) announced that the Light Public Housing (LPH) will be open for applications from June 24, with the Phase 1 application covering two projects at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, and Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok (Phase 1 application projects), which will provide a total of about 4 440 units for gradual intake anticipated from the first quarter of 2025 onwards.

     Those eligible to apply for the Phase 1 application projects will receive by post on or before June 24 the application forms sent by the HB in batches. Interested applicants who submit the duly completed application forms between June 24 and 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. 

     A spokesman for the HB said, "The Chief Executive has put forward in the 2022 Policy Address that the Government will expeditiously build about 30 000 LPH units by 2027-28 through making use of government and private land not yet earmarked for long-term development in the near future with standardised simple design and the Modular Integrated Construction approach or through converting existing government properties. This serves to fill the short-term gap of public housing supply and improve the living conditions and quality of life of people living in inadequate housing as soon as possible. 

     "It takes about two and a half years only from putting forward the LPH initiative for the first time in October 2022 to intake of the first batch of LPH units starting from the first quarter of 2025. This clearly shows the determination and execution ability of the current term of the Government in solving the housing problem faced by our people. Apart from the two projects in Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, and Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok, we will continue to actively take forward the remaining 11 LPH projects across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Taking into account the progress of works, we will announce in due course the application arrangements for the other LPH projects."

     The spokesperson added, "The environment as well as the leisure and living facilities of LPH are much better as compared with the inadequate housing conditions. LPH also offers an affordable rental level, which is set at around 90 per cent of the rent of traditional public rental housing (PRH) of the same type. The two projects being launched this time are located at the New Territories and the urban areas respectively with their own advantages."

     Details of LPH Phase 1 application are as follows:

(1) Eligibility for application: General applicants who are on the waiting list for traditional PRH for three years or more (calculated from the last intake date for the Phase 1 application projects, i.e. May 2025) are eligible to apply for LPH, with priority given to family applicants. Those meeting the eligibility criteria will receive by post the application forms sent by the HB in batches. 

(2) Application period: Applicants who submit the duly completed application forms between June 24 and 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.

(3) Submission methods: Interested applicants may submit their duly completed application forms by post to P.O. Box of the Dedicated Team on Light Public Housing of the Housing Bureau (P.O. Box 28222, Gloucester Road Post Office, Wan Chai, Hong Kong); or by depositing into the drop-in boxes during office hours (from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays, except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) at the following locations: 

• Light Public Housing Information Counter at Podium Level 2, Hong Kong Housing Authority Customer Service Centre, 3 Wang Tau Hom South Road, Kowloon
• Office of the Dedicated Team on Light Public Housing at Room 801, 8/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

     In addition, if the applicant and all family members have registered for "iAM Smart+", they may opt to complete, sign and submit the e-Form by scanning the exclusive QR code pre-printed in the application form. 

     Information on Phase 1 application projects is as follows:

(1) Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long: Providing about 2 150 units (including units for one to two persons, and three to four persons) with anticipated intake date in the first quarter of 2025. There are shops, launderettes, study/activity rooms, community services facilities, etc, within the project. There are also bus terminus and minibus stops within the project for providing public transport services, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to travel to Yuen Long Town Centre, Sheung Shui or Tai Lam Tunnel Bus Interchange. The estimated monthly rent ranges from about $740 to $1,420 (depending on the unit size) (Note).

(2) Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok: Providing about 2 290 units (including units for one to two persons, three to four persons, and four to five persons) with anticipated intake date in the second quarter of 2025. There are minibus stand, small shops, launderettes, study/activity rooms, community services facilities, etc, within the project. There are also a number of minibus and franchised bus routes in the vicinity travelling to/from Choi Hung MTR station as well as different places in Hong Kong and Kowloon. It takes about five to 10 minutes on foot to reach Choi Fook Estate Market, Choi Tak Shopping Centre or Choi Wan Shopping Centre. The estimated monthly rent ranges from about $1,110 to $2,650 (depending on the unit size) (Note). 

     The HB will process the application forms received as soon as possible and make arrangements for the allocation procedures. To give priority to those families in need to move into LPH, if the applicants are currently living in inadequate housing; having special medical conditions; or having minor children, newborn babies, elderly persons, etc, in the family composition, they will be given higher priority for LPH allocation. The first batch of applicants who are successfully allocated LPH units under the Phase 1 application projects will be notified by the HB in batches starting from the fourth quarter of 2024, and will be arranged to go through eligibility verification and intake arrangements. For those applicants who are not allocated any LPH unit, their information will be retained for processing together with other applications received during the other phases of LPH application.

     For information about the LPH Phase 1 application, please refer to the enclosed LPH Promotional Pamphlet, or browse the LPH website of the HB (www.hb.gov.hk/eng/lph). For enquiries, please call 3464 0700, or send email to lphapp@hb.gov.hk. 

     Note: 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 Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) charged four employees for a contractor of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and two staff members of a waste disposal company for allegedly offering and accepting advantages for assisting the company to unload construction waste onto a landfill free of charge, and conspiring together to defraud the EPD. The case was mentioned at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (June 13).

     The EPD attaches great importance to the integrity and good professional ethics of all staff, and does not tolerate any corruption acts. The department has been co-operating actively with and has offered full assistance to the ICAC's investigation.

     The EPD has conducted a comprehensive review of relevant workflow and regulatory regime, and has made improvements with reference to the advice of the ICAC's Corruption Prevention Department, including applying an automatic sampling process when inspecting waste collection vehicles to reduce the effect of human factors. On-site EPD staff members will be informed of the sampling results concurrently to facilitate their conducting of ambush inspections, strengthening the regulation of landfill operations.

     In view of the ongoing legal proceedings, the EPD will not comment on the specifics of the case.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 13) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.