Chief Executive John Lee Ka-Chiu marked his first anniversary in office with a bold commitment to accelerate housing construction and address the city’s pressing housing shortage. As the government meets short-term key performance indicators (KPIs) and boosts land supply for the new fiscal year, it is imperative that new policies take into account the pressing needs of the most underprivileged families living in cramped subdivided flats. By doing so, we can forge a more hopeful future.
Lee’s administration has made notable progress in achieving nine land and housing KPIs, most of which focus on medium- to long-term goals. Among the accomplishments are the submission of legislative drafts to expedite land development processes, the establishment of a department dedicated to coordinating the Northern Metropolis, and the advancement of the New Territories Science Park development plan ahead of schedule.
In a recent interview, Lee emphasized that the Northern Metropolis is his administration’s primary focus and pledged to continue increasing the housing supply. He confirmed that enough land has been secured to build 360,000 public housing units over the next 10 years, surpassing the long-term goal of 300,000 and, in theory, resolving the housing-shortage dilemma.
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However, Hong Kong faces a significant challenge: the limited availability of land for immediate use. Despite Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin’s commitment to expediting and expanding housing construction, only 128,800 public housing units can be built in the next five years. To increase housing supply, the government is steadfast in its efforts to reclaim part of the golf course at Fanling, with Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho reiterating the goal of using 9 hectares of land at the course’s northern end for public housing.
In the coming months, Ho will introduce guidelines for the design of more humanistic public housing than the current ones, which will provide for additional or improved housing facilities
Encouragingly, the authorities have announced that the land supply for the upcoming quarter will be sufficient for constructing 4,050 private housing units, achieving roughly 65 percent of the target for two fiscal quarters. As property prices experience a slight decline, potential buyers have been reassured by Linn’s promise to prioritize the economic and housing land needs without waiting for exceptionally favorable market conditions to sell land. Additionally, the government’s push for private-sector involvement in the Home Ownership Scheme will help expand the property ladder. As long as there is a continuous supply of land for housing construction and property prices remain reasonable, prospective buyers should have ample choices. Ho has revealed that several developers have expressed interest in participating in the Home Ownership Scheme, and numerous major business associations have recently signed agreements to explore ways to increase housing supply for the community.
John Lee aims to build 30,000 light public housing units in the next five years and has secured funding from the Legislative Council. He has suggested that he would consider allowing inadequately housed households to apply. While the city’s residents eagerly await improved housing, it is vital for authorities to mark clear-cut evaluation standards, gain a comprehensive understanding of substandard housing’s distribution and living conditions, and ensure that light public housing is a constructive support to existing transitional housing. Furthermore, it is worth considering prioritizing public housing allocation as an incentive to encourage residing in remote light public housing units.
In the coming months, Ho will introduce guidelines for the design of more humanistic public housing than the current ones, which will provide for additional or improved housing facilities. It is well-known that many Hong Kong residents save as much as they can for over a decade to purchase property — something that has become a global headline. But this is not the case for the majority of “shell-less snails”, or grassroots households, who wait for five years or more for a low-rent public housing unit. With their meager family incomes, they have to resort to living in a shoebox-like subdivided flat in a dilapidated old building. For them, living in tiny public rental housing unit is already considered a blessing.
Although the general waiting time for public housing has decreased slightly from six years to 5.3 years since Lee’s administration took office nine months ago, it should be kept in mind that those who are waiting for the allocation of a habitable residence are now suffering a great deal of hardship, especially during the sweltering summer, in windowless subdivided apartments.
Getting rid of inadequate residence of subdivided housing, as envisioned by Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong, is not a feat that can be accomplished overnight. While it may take multiple administrations to achieve this goal, the current team must ensure the enforcement of long-sought regulations and protections advocated by the welfare sector. By preventing overcharging for utilities and encouraging the donation of suitable electrical appliances and materials, we can provide the most impoverished grassroots strata with a long-overdue sense of happiness.
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In conclusion, the success of Lee’s ambitious housing initiatives depends on the dedication of all stakeholders and a shared vision for a more equitable and inclusive Hong Kong. Together we will build a better Hong Kong, where every resident has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and comfortable home.
The author, a member of China Retold, is vice-chairman of Hong Kong United Youth Association.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.