Hong Kong's Buildings Department yesterday said it approved 34 building plans in January to increase the city's land supply amid soaring housing prices.

Among the newly approved plans, 22 were for apartment and apartment-commercial developments, according to the department.

Among the other plans, six were commercial, four were factory and industrial, and two were for community services.

Consent was given for work to start on 13 building projects that will provide 36,515 square meters of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 284 units, and 66,146 square meters of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of the start of work for 16 building projects.

Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 15,859 square meters, involving 156 units, and 91,097 square meters for non-domestic use.

The declared cost of new buildings completed in January totaled HK$1.7 billion (US$220 million).