The Housing Authority has approved the provision of 43,800 public rental housing flats for 2008-09, consisting of 25,300 new flats and 18,500 refurbished ones for eligible families. About 64% will be allocated to waiting-list applicants.

A total of 5,700 flats will be reserved for the tenants affected by the redevelopment of Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate and the clearance of So Uk Estate.

Meanwhile, 600 flats have been allocated to cater for rehousing needs affected by squatter clearance, Urban Renewal Authority projects and interim housing trawling exercises. A maximum of 2,000 flats will also be allowed for non-elderly one-person waiting-list applicants.

A total of 6,500 flats have been reserved for transfer schemes for existing tenants, up 18.2% over a year earlier. Of which 1,500 flats are set aside for overcrowding relief and living space improvement needs.

The authority said waiting list applicants registered before October 1, 2006 will be invited in mid-2008 to change their choice of district, expecting 31,061 new flats will be available in the urban district in the coming three years.