Following is a question by the Dr Hon Stanley Ng and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (November 4):
      
Question:
 
     Some trade union organisations have long advocated the concept of living and working in the same district and have continuously put forward proposals for achieving home-job balance in the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM), so that residents can take up employment near their homes, reduce long-distance commuting and the quality of life of grassroots workers can be improved. The Government has indicated that upon full development, the NM can provide about 500 000 new jobs and 500 000 additional housing units. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
      
(1) of the specific planning, indicators and timetable the authorities have in place to ensure that the NM achieves home-job balance that is sufficient to cover the needs of grassroots workers; whether ratio targets have been set for the working population, housing supply and industrial land within the area; and how to avoid a mismatch where people "have housing but no job, or have a job but no housing";
 
(2) of the projected distribution of the about 500 000 new jobs in the NM across different industries (including innovation and technology, modern services, advanced manufacturing, logistics, community services and construction); whether the authorities have formulated manpower supporting measures, training and skills transformation programmes that give priority to assisting residents of the NM and New Territories North, as well as grassroots workers, in taking up the relevant jobs, so as to implement the concept of living and working in the same district;
 
(3) of the services and supporting measures (including transport networks and commuting concessions, child care and elderly care services, occupational safety and health support, rest facilities for workers, rights protection services and labour consultation) the authorities have in place to assist workers taking up employment in the NM; whether the authorities will collaborate with trade union groups to set up worker service points in various sub-areas of the NM; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) regarding long-term arrangements, whether the authorities will consider introducing a "Special Scheme on Home-Job Balance in NM" to give grassroots public rental housing residents in other districts who take up employment in the North District priority in applying for a transfer to the NM, so as to optimize home-job balance; if so, of the specific proposal; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government attaches great importance to the planning of home-job balance in the Northern Metropolis (NM). The NM is not only a major source of future housing supply in Hong Kong, but also a development core for innovation and technology (I&T), higher education, modern logistics, advanced manufacturing and other strategic industries. According to the overall planning framework, the NM will provide over 500 000 new jobs and 500 000 new housing units. Through the co-ordinated planning of industry land, housing supply, transport infrastructure and community facilities, the Government is taking forward key projects such as the San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling university towns. These developments will nurture talent, drive industry development and create diversified employment opportunities, thereby progressively fostering a balanced home-job pattern. This will provide local residents with more choices to work closer to home, enhance quality of life and reduce the need for cross-district commuting.
      
     Having consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Housing Bureau, the replies to various parts of the question are as follows:
      
(1) In planning and implementing new development areas (NDAs), we will make estimates of the working population, housing supply and industry floor space based on the respective industry positioning and housing provision of each NDA. However, planning is a dynamic process that should respond to changing circumstances and evolving needs. These estimates are therefore not intended to serve as rigid targets, and should be adjusted as planning progresses. It is important to maintain sufficient planning flexibility to accommodate future changes. To promote a better home-job balance in NDAs, we also adopt a multi-pronged planning approach. First, having regard to the industry positioning, development functions and anticipated employment structure of individual NDAs, the Government will suitably adjust the public-private housing mix to cater for the housing needs of the working population across different income groups and backgrounds. Take the San Tin Technopole as an example. As I&T and higher education are the development core of the NDA, it is expected to attract a large number of I&T enterprises, research institutions and related talent. The planning of residential developments in the NDA will therefore take into account the population growth and housing demand arising from the development of I&T industry and higher education, with private housing and talent accommodation forming the predominant housing provision.
 
     Secondly, the community planning of the NDAs embraces the concept of the "15-minute neighbourhood". Appropriate provision is made for commercial facilities serving residents' daily needs, including retail, dining and personal services, as well as community facilities for education, healthcare, social welfare, and recreation and sports. This not only enhances the convenience and quality of community living, but also creates additional local employment opportunities, thereby facilitating employment within the district. In addition, under the planning concept of urban-rural integration, the NM will capitalise on its rural and ecological resources to promote cultural tourism and the development of rural economy. These initiatives will provide local residents with more diversified employment opportunities in sectors such as cultural and creative industries, tourism, retail and catering.
      
     Furthermore, the NM will be supported by a comprehensive transport network that provides seamless connectivity between the various NDAs and other parts of Hong Kong. Major residential communities within the NDAs will be planned around transport hubs, enabling residents to conveniently access key industry and employment nodes within the district as well as other employment centres across the territory. This will allow people greater flexibility in choosing where to live and work across a wider geographical area.
      
     As the various industry areas, the university towns and community facilities in the NM are progressively developed and brought into operation, distinct industry clusters in areas such as I&T, higher education, modern logistics and professional services will gradually emerge. This will help attract enterprises and talent, create more diversified employment opportunities, and foster a more balanced home-job pattern across the NM.
      
(2) Upon full development, the NM is expected to create more than 500 000 new jobs. As this is a long-term planning estimate, and various industry projects will be implemented in phases having regard to market demand, investment pace and economic development, the Government does not have a detailed sectoral breakdown of projected new jobs across individual industries at this stage. According to the overall industry framework of the NM, the relevant jobs will span various sectors, including I&T, higher education, advanced manufacturing, modern logistics, high-end professional services, as well as retail, catering, healthcare, social welfare and other community services, providing diversified employment opportunities for individuals with different skills, qualifications and experience.
 
     To support future residents of the NM in finding jobs within their own district, the Labour Department (LD) will provide diversified employment services and implement employment programmes to assist job seekers to secure employment. Job seekers can make use of online platforms and telephone employment services provided by the LD to receive information about job vacancies available in the district and training opportunities. Furthermore, the Employees Retraining Board and the Vocational Training Council will also provide various training programmes for the local workforce to enhance their competitiveness. The relevant bureaux and departments will also formulate corresponding manpower support and training measures in response to the latest industry developments and manpower demands.
      
(3) Regarding child care services, the Government has incorporated a planning ratio of 100 subvented child care centre (CCC) places per 25 000 people into the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines in 2020. The Social Welfare Department will continue to reserve suitable premises for CCCs in NDAs in the NM. The sites selected for the 18 additional subvented standalone CCCs announced in the 2025 and 2026 Policy Addresses include locations in NDAs in the NM.
 
     Regarding elderly services, the Government has reserved sites, based on the planning standards, in NDAs in the NM for different types of elderly facilities. It is envisaged that over the next five years, four new residential care home for the elderly premises and five elderly day care premises will be available, altogether providing about 610 subsidised long-term care places. Additionally, there will also be four new elderly centres rendering support to seniors in the neighbourhood.
      
     Regarding occupational safety and health (OSH), the LD has already deployed its Mega Projects Office to oversee the OSH performance of major projects in the NM, and will continue to monitor the changes in OSH risks and needs in the NM and make corresponding arrangements.
      
     The Labour Relations Division of the LD provides the public with consultation services on labour rights and benefits, as well as conciliation services for labour disputes. The public may call the enquiry hotline or visit the LD's website for information on labour legislation and related matters. The aforesaid services are also applicable to employees working in the NM. The LD will also continue to collaborate with trade unions to provide appropriate services for those in need.
      
     In terms of transport infrastructure, to support the development of the NM, the Government has adopted the planning strategy of "infrastructure-led" and "capacity-creating", and is pressing ahead a series of NM-related transport infrastructure projects under the "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal Corridors" layout, including the Kwu Tung Station, the Hung Shui Kiu Station, the Northern Link Project, the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section), the Tsing Lung Bridge at the southern end of Route 11, and the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA, to further enhance the transport connectivity within and beyond the NM.
      
     To tie in with the progress of infrastructure and development projects, the Transport Department will maintain close co-ordination with departments involved in developing the NM and will make advance arrangements for public transport services and planning of related facilities (such as Public Transport Interchanges and bus stop ancillary facilities). Taking the Kwu Tung North and Fanling North NDAs as examples, two bus routes (i.e. KMB route no. 77 (Fung Wong Leng Estate – Sheung Shui (Tai Ping)) and route no. 76A (Kwu Tung North – Sheung Shui MTR Station)) commenced operation in August and October this year respectively, serving residents having moved in during the first phase of development.
      
     Apart from encouraging public transport operators to offer monthly passes and interchange concessions for relevant routes, the Government has implemented the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme (the Scheme) since 2019 to alleviate the financial burden on commuters with relatively high public transport expenses. There are no age or income restrictions under the Scheme. Currently, the Government subsidises one-third of the actual monthly public transport expenses in excess of the monthly threshold (i.e. $500) incurred by commuters, subject to a maximum of $400 per month for each Octopus and each AlipayHK account.
      
(4) The Government does not have any plan to introduce the proposed "Special Scheme on Home-Job Balance in NM" at this juncture. Under the prevailing transfer policy of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, public rental housing (PRH) tenants who find it difficult to continue living in their existing flats due to special circumstances may apply for transfer to a flat in the same estate. The Housing Department will take into account the actual circumstances of the case and make appropriate arrangements accordingly. If the tenant considers transfer within the same estate cannot resolve their difficulties and wish to apply for transfer to another estate, they are required to submit assessments from professionals, such as social workers, medical practitioners, or physiotherapists, to support their applications. Given the large number of PRH tenants, it is difficult to accommodate transfer applications taking into account changes that may arise from time to time due to personal reasons without special needs, such as applicants' work locations, unless there are exceptional grounds.

Ends/Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:09

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