Ballots drawn for White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2024
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
Ballots were drawn today (April 24) for the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)'s White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) 2024 (WSM 2024). The Chairman of the HA's Subsidised Housing Committee (SHC), Ms Cleresa Wong, officiated at the ballot drawing.
The HA's SHC endorsed in January 2025 that starting from WSM 2024, the quota will increase significantly by 1500 to 6000. All of the 1500 additional quotas will be allocated to young applicants aged below 40 under the Youth Scheme (WSM), while the remaining 4500 will be ordinary quotas.
"During the application period for WSM 2024, the HA received a total of around 34000 paper and online applications. The oversubscription rate is about five times, reflecting the persistent strong demand for subsidised sale flats. Among the applications received, over 80 per cent (around 28000 applications) came from young applicants opting to join the newly implemented Youth Scheme (WSM) showing that the scheme was well received by the young applicants," a spokesman for the HA said.
The ballot drawing conducted today is to determine the applicants' priority sequence for WSM 2024 based on the last two digits of their application numbers. For applicants holding the same drawn digits within the different application categories, their order of priority will be randomly generated by computer.
The ballot results have been uploaded to the HA/Housing Department's designated website for WSM 2024 ( www.housingauthority.gov.hk/wsm/2024). Applicants who have submitted online applications will receive email notifications of the ballot results following the ballot drawing ceremony.
The randomly generated order of all applications will be uploaded to the designated website tomorrow (April 25). It will also be displayed at the HA Customer Service Centre in Lok Fu, the estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, the rental estate offices of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department from tomorrow. Applicants may also call the HA Sales and WSM Hotline at 27128000 for enquiries.
The HA will, in accordance with the order of priority, issue letters/emails (for applicants who submit online applications and opt to receive electronic notifications) and invite applicants to submit the income and asset declaration form and supporting documents within a specified period for detailed vetting, so as to ascertain whether individual applicants meet the eligibility criteria for WSM 2024.
"The HA estimates that approval letters will be issued to successful applicants of WSM 2024 in the third/fourth quarter of this year. Within the specified period, holders of the approval letters may submit applications to the HA and/ or the HKHS for the Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase (valid for one year) to purchase a flat with premium not yet paid in the Home Ownership Scheme Secondary Market or the Flat-for-Sale Scheme Secondary Market," the spokesman said.
Ballots drawn for White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures
The Film Programmes Office (FPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the Summer Family Cine Fest (SFCF) from July 12 to August 16, offering over 40 fun-filled film screenings at the Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong City Hall, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum (HKSpM) and the North District Town Hall. The programme is one of the highlights of the International Arts Carnival (IAC).
The Feature Films section features 15 works. Blending animation and live action, "Diplodocus" (2024) tells the story of a cute little comic dinosaur, which, in order to save itself and its family, must help its creator regain his confidence to create. In the animated film "Into the Wonderwoods" (2024), while on the way to visit his grandmother, 10-year-old Angelo is accidentally left behind in the wild. With his imagination and courage, he embarks on a solo journey while braving monsters and demons in the forest.
In "Fox and Hare Save the Forest" (2024), a selfish beaver causes a flood in the forest, and other animals bravely come together to save their home. "Tummy Tom and the Lost Teddy Bear" (2024) follows a cat on an adventurous journey to find its favourite cuddle toy bear. In "Benjamin Bat" (2024), a little bat named Benjamin is bullied by his brothers for loving singing and becoming friends with a bat's sworn enemy, a bird. For himself and his friend, he needs to muster his courage to stand up against the odds. A cute penguin in "Thelma's Perfect Birthday" (2024) accidentally travels from the Land of Ice to the warm Great Forest and learns the meaning of growth through this whimsical journey.
"Buffalo Kids" (2024) from Spain tells the story of two young siblings and their disabled new friend teaming up to battle wits and strength against outlaws of the Wild West in a thrilling adventure of courage and inclusion. Starting from the parents of a young boy building a sailboat in their home garden, "A Boat in the Garden" (2024) tells a story of perseverance and dedication of a family of three in the pursuit of dreams.
The Swedish film "The Pinchers' High Voltage Heist" (2023) delivers a comedic portrayal of a quirky family of thieves and their hilarious lives together. In the award-winning "Coco Farm" (2023), three youngsters strive to build a business guided by conscience. In "Lampo, The Travelling Dog" (2023), a social media-famous dog and a sick girl cross paths at a train station, leading to a heartwarming tale of mutual care between human and canine. "Greetings from Mars" (2024) tells the story of how Tom turns his passion for space exploration into strength when his mother has to travel a long way away.
The SFCF also features three sports-themed films. "King Richard" (2021) depicts the parenting story of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams' father and coach, who meticulously guided them to success. Lead actor Will Smith won Best Actor awards at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards for his performance. "Lioness" (2023) follows a South American migrant girl in the Netherlands pursuing her dream of becoming a football player in a strange land. "The Hill" (2023) delivers a passionate and inspiring true story of a baseball prodigy overcoming adversity despite suffering from a degenerative spinal condition.
In addition, the FPO will co-organise with the HKSpM to present the dome show, "The Great Solar System Adventure!" (2024), at the Space Theatre of the HKSpM. Audiences will be guided through an exhilarating journey across the solar system. After the screenings, audiences will be invited to join a post-screening activity at the HKSpM Lecture Hall to make Mars paper models and learn about the major discoveries of various Mars exploration missions. This activity will be conducted in Cantonese.
Veteran dubbing artists Yip Ka-man and Kinson Lai will perform live Cantonese dubbing for "Thelma's Perfect Birthday", "Benjamin Bat" and "Into the Wonderwoods" with no subtitles. "The Great Solar System Adventure!" is in Cantonese, with English available through the headphone system, with no subtitles. Other films will feature Chinese and English subtitles.
Apart from the feature films, the FPO has hand-picked 20 animated short films from around the world to present three World Animation & Shorts programmes, titled "All About Love", "Is That OK?" and "Craving For Food!". Professional actor and drama tutor Man Jai (Raymond Chan) will host an introduction in Cantonese for the programmes.
The FPO will also present a two-day event titled Summer of Light: Cinematic Adventure at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on July 12 and 13. The event consists of free activities and ticketed workshops for the public to participate. Details will be available in early June on the FPO website www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.
Tickets are priced at $88 and will be available from tomorrow (May 16) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=75.
For details of other IAC programmes, please visit the website www.hkiac.gov.hk.
Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
