John Lee says Northern Metropolis can widen housing ladder
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis could help broaden the housing ladder for young people by creating more options on a larger land base. Speaking at a town hall in Kowloon Tong on Sunday, he also said the government wanted to foster a globally recognised Hong Kong cultural brand while gathering views for the city’s first five-year plan and his annual policy address.
Key Points
- Lee told the second town hall meeting at Kowloon Tong Government Primary School on Sunday that the government had been diversifying the housing ladder.
- He said the Northern Metropolis offered an opportunity because it would provide more land and allow larger flat sizes for future housing options.
- About 120 residents attended the forum, where Lee sought views on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and his upcoming annual policy address.
- A resident surnamed Wong said many young people feared pay rises or promotions could make them ineligible for public housing, weakening upward mobility.
- Participants also urged support for culture and planning, including subsidised housing for young workers in the Northern Metropolis and a long-term population policy.
Why It Matters
The discussion links two sensitive issues for Hong Kong households: whether new development can create a more flexible path from subsidised to private housing, and whether younger residents can stay in the city while building careers. Lee’s comments also suggest the government wants the Northern Metropolis and cultural policy to feature prominently in upcoming long-term planning decisions.