Government Grants and Schemes for Property Buyers in Hong Kong 2026

Overview of Government Housing Support in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the most expensive property markets in the world, with average apartment prices exceeding HK$10 million in many urban districts. Recognising this affordability challenge, the Hong Kong government operates several schemes to help residents get on the property ladder. These programmes are primarily managed by the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS).

Understanding which schemes you qualify for can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars and provide access to below-market-rate properties. This guide covers all major government programmes available to property buyers in 2026.

Home Ownership Scheme (HOS)

The Home Ownership Scheme is the government’s flagship subsidised housing programme. Under HOS, the Housing Authority sells newly built flats at a discount to market value — typically 30-40% below comparable private housing. These flats are sold to eligible Hong Kong permanent residents who do not currently own property.

Eligibility requirements include Hong Kong permanent resident status, meeting income and asset limits set annually by the Housing Authority, and not owning any domestic property at the time of application. Single applicants and families have different income ceilings, with family applicants receiving priority.

The application process opens periodically when new HOS developments are announced. Competition is intense — the oversubscription rate regularly exceeds 50 to 1. Successful applicants are selected by ballot. Use our mortgage calculator to estimate monthly repayments on HOS flats.

Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH)

The GSH scheme targets existing public rental housing tenants and applicants on the public housing waiting list. Flats are sold at a deeper discount than standard HOS — often 40-50% below market value. The trade-off is that buyers must surrender their public rental housing unit upon purchase.

This scheme serves a dual purpose — it helps public housing tenants become homeowners while freeing up rental units for families on the waiting list. GSH flats are subject to resale restrictions during an initial period, typically five years.

White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WFSM)

While HOS flats are initially sold at a discount, owners who want to sell must either sell back to the Housing Authority or pay a premium to sell on the open market. The White Form Secondary Market Scheme allows eligible buyers who do not live in public housing (White Form applicants) to purchase HOS flats on the secondary market without the seller needing to pay this premium.

This effectively expands the pool of affordable housing available to middle-income buyers. WFSM purchasers can apply for mortgages through the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation’s Mortgage Insurance Programme, which allows higher loan-to-value ratios — up to 95% for properties under certain value thresholds.

Stamp Duty Concessions

Hong Kong’s stamp duty system can significantly impact buying costs. The current framework includes Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (AVD) at Scale 2 rates for Hong Kong permanent residents buying their first residential property — ranging from HK$100 to 4.25% depending on property value. Non-first-time buyers and non-permanent residents face a flat 15% rate under the higher Scale 1.

First-time permanent resident buyers benefit substantially from the lower Scale 2 rates. For example, on a HK$6 million flat, the stamp duty difference between Scale 2 (3%) and Scale 1 (15%) is HK$720,000. Our property tax guide provides a detailed breakdown of all applicable taxes and duties.

The government periodically adjusts these rates as part of cooling or stimulus measures, so always verify the current rates before making a purchase decision.

Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP)

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Insurance Limited (HKMCI) operates the Mortgage Insurance Programme, which allows buyers to borrow up to 80-90% of a property’s value for homes up to HK$10 million, and up to 80% for properties valued HK$10-12 million. Without MIP, banks typically cap lending at 50-60% LTV.

This programme is particularly valuable for first-time buyers who may struggle to save a 40-50% deposit in Hong Kong’s high-price market. The insurance premium can be paid as a lump sum or added to the mortgage. Compare mortgage options across HSBC, Bank of China, Hang Seng, and Standard Chartered using our mortgage calculator.

Hong Kong Housing Society Programmes

In addition to HA schemes, the Hong Kong Housing Society runs its own programmes including the Subsidised Sale Flats Scheme and the Sandwich Class Housing Scheme. These target middle-income residents who earn too much to qualify for public housing but cannot afford private market prices. Properties are sold below market value with resale restrictions.

Key Tips for Applicants

Apply to multiple schemes simultaneously where eligibility allows — ballot odds are low, so casting a wider net improves your chances. Keep all financial documents updated and ready, as application windows can be short. Monitor the Housing Authority website for announcements of new sales exercises.

Consider your long-term plans carefully, as subsidised flats carry resale restrictions. If you sell within the restriction period, you may need to pay back the discount or sell only to eligible buyers. Read our complete first-time buyer guide for the full step-by-step process.

Next Steps

Use our mortgage calculator to model repayments on both private and subsidised housing. Browse our Hong Kong property buying guide for the complete purchasing process, or check our FAQs for quick answers to common questions.