【社評雙語道】覓地建屋顯成效 有利青年置業

【原文】摘錄自10月26日香港《文匯報》：特區政府公布的最新數據顯示，未來3至4年私人住宅一手市場供應持續維持在較高水平。數據反映特區政府多年來在覓地建屋方面的努力持續推進 ，令樓市供應穩定，供求比較平衡，樓價維持合理區間。在充裕供應下，政府將有能力兼顧不同的置業需求以平衡社會期望，因此新一份施政報告提出系列措施完善市民的置業階梯，包括增加出售資助房屋的比例，協助青年上流。相信隨着綜合措施落實，市民的居住環境會持續獲得改善。

本屆政府上任以來，通過多種途徑增加土地供應，包括發展新區域、活化現有土地以及鼓勵私人發展商參與公營房屋建設等，以緩解土地供應緊張的狀況，這些舉措已經漸見成效。根據房屋局的數據，截至今年第三季度，未來3至4年一手私人住宅潛在供應量約為10.8萬個單位，是連續8個季度維持在10萬個單位以上的水平。這表明中短期房屋供應依然充裕，市場供需關係趨向平衡。

長遠供應方面，發展局局長甯漢豪日前表示，未來10年香港將有3,000公頃熟地，其中60%位於北部都會區。這一龐大的土地儲備將為未來的房屋建設提供堅實基礎，確保房屋供應的持續性和穩定性。

在房屋轉趨供應相對充裕的環境下，特區政府將有更大空間通過調整政策、完善分配，改善市民居住環境。

過往多年，本港私樓價格步步上升、長期高企，屬全球樓價最難負擔的城市之一，加上資助出售房屋以家庭為主要對象，令部分青年被迫選擇「躺平」申請公屋。這種現象對青年的人生規劃和社會發展都非常不利。房屋局局長何永賢日前表示，一直謹記青年置業夢，期望擴大房屋階梯的「中間部分」即資助出售房屋，協助青年上流。

目前公屋、資助出售房屋和私樓的比例是5:2:3，何永賢透露，未來計劃調整為4:3:3。事實上，新一份施政報告明確提出了支持青年購買資助出售單位的措施，包括下一期居屋單位的40歲以下白表青年家庭及一人申請者，可以分派多一個抽籤號碼；並由下一期白表居屋第二市場計劃起，增加1,500個配額，全數撥予40歲以下的青年家庭及一人申請者。加上政府早前將二手居屋的按揭貸款保證期放寬至50年，令更多二手居屋可以申請高按揭成數，令相關市場活躍起來。

這些措施反映了特區政府對青年置業問題十分重視，期望採取切實措施，讓青年有更多置業選擇，改變青年上流難的問題。

當然，也需注意到，樓市的發展仍然受到多種因素的影響，包括經濟環境、政策調整、市場需求等。因此，特區政府在制定和實施相關政策時，必須充分考慮這些因素，確保政策的科學性和有效性，同時需要加強市場監管，防止樓市出現過度炒作和投機行為，維護市場的健康穩定發展。

解決土地房屋問題不可能一蹴而就，需要持續的努力和投入。展望未來，隨着特區政府在增加土地和房屋供應上持續努力，一系列優化置業政策陸續實施，本港樓市有望迎來更穩健的發展。廣大市民應支持政府覓地建屋的積極舉措，加快北部都會區和交椅洲人工島的建設進度。相信在政府和各界共同努力下，本港的住屋問題可以逐漸得到有效解決，市民生活品質不斷提升，幸福感、獲得感更強。

Proactive land identification for housing units boosts youth homeownership

【譯文】The latest data released by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region indicates that the supply of first-hand private residential properties will remain at a high level over the next three to four years. This data reflects that the Government's continuous efforts over the years in identifying land for housing production have led to a stable residential property market supply, more balanced supply and demand, and reasonable housing prices. With ample supply, the government will be able to cater to different homeownership needs to balance societal expectations. Therefore, the new Policy Address introduces a series of measures to improve the homeownership ladder for residents, including increasing the proportion of subsidised housing for sale to assist youth in upward mobility. It is believed that with the implementation of comprehensive measures, the living environment of residents will continue to improve.

Since taking office, the current government has increased land supply through various means, including developing new areas, revitalising existing land, and encouraging private developers to participate in public housing construction, to alleviate the tight land supply situation. These initiatives have gradually shown results. According to data from the Housing Bureau, as of the third quarter of this year, the potential supply of new private residential units over the next three to four years is approximately 108,000 units, maintaining a level above 100,000 units for eight consecutive quarters. This indicates that short to medium-term housing supply remains ample, and the market supply-demand relationship is tending towards balance.

Regarding long-term supply, Secretary for Development Ms Linn Hon-ho recently stated that Hong Kong will have 3,000 hectares of “disposed sites” over the next ten years, with 60% located in the "Northern Metropolis." This substantial land reserve will provide a solid foundation for future housing construction, ensuring the continuity and stability of the housing supply.

With the housing supply becoming relatively ample, the Government will have greater flexibility to enhance the living environment of residents through adjusting policies and improving allocations.

Over the years, private property prices in Hong Kong have been rising steadily and remain among the highest globally, making it one of the most unaffordable cities for housing in the world. Additionally, subsidised sale of flats is mainly targeted at families, forcing some youth to go “goblin mode” and opt for public housing. This phenomenon is detrimental to the life planning and social development of young people. Secretary for Housing Bureau Ms Winnie Ho have stateded that the dream of homeownership for youth has always been remembered, hoping to expand the "middle part" of the housing ladder, namely subsidised housing for sale, to assist youth in upward mobility.

Currently, the ratio of public rental housing, subsidised housing for sale, and private housing is 5:2:3. Ms Ho revealed plans to adjust this ratio to 4:3:3 in the future. In fact, the new policy address clearly outlines measures to support youth in purchasing subsidised sale flats: young family applicants and one-person applicants aged below 40 with White Form status will be allocated an extra ballot number for the purchase of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats from the next HOS sale exercise onwards; starting from the next White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) exercise, the WSM quota will increase by 1 500, all of which will be allocated to young family applicants and one‑person applicants aged below 40. In addition, the Government previously extended the mortgage guarantee period for second-hand HOS units to 50 years, enabling more second-hand HOS flats to apply for mortgages with higher loan-to-value ratios, thereby activating the relevant market.

These measures reflect that the Government attaches great importance to the issue of homeownership among young people, and expects to adopt practical measures to provide more homeownership options for youth and address the difficulty of upward mobility for young people.

Of course, it is also important to note that the development of the property market is still influenced by various factors, including the economic environment, policy adjustments, market demand, and so on. Therefore, when formulating and implementing relevant policies, the Government must fully consider these factors to ensure the scientific and effective implementation of the policies. At the same time, it is necessary to set up market regulations to prevent excessive speculation and speculative behaviour in the property market, thereby maintaining the healthy and stable development of the market.

It is impossible to address the land and housing problem overnight, and sustained efforts and commitment are required. Looking ahead, with the Government's continuous efforts to increase land and housing supply, and the implementation of a series of policies to optimise home ownership, the local property market is expected to enjoy more stable development. The general public should support the Government's proactive measures in identifying land for housing development and accelerating the progress of the Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands. It is believed that with the concerted efforts of the Government and all sectors, the housing problems in Hong Kong can be gradually and effectively resolved, the quality of life of the public will continue to improve, and their sense of happiness and satisfaction will be stronger. ● Tiffany