Abdelrahman
Struggles of a Family in Cramped Hong Kong Housing: A Look into Subdivided Living
HONG KONG (AP) — For Jimmy Au, the confines of her small Hong Kong apartment reduce her world to the dimensions of a parking space when she returns home.
Her living quarters, cluttered and limited in size, are one of four units that have been subdivided from what was originally a single apartment. The majority of the space is dominated by a bunk bed shared with her husband and son. Their sleep is frequently interrupted by neighbors leaving late or waking up early. Au’s son often sustains bruises from colliding with household items, and privacy is almost nonexistent, with merely a curtain separating the bathroom from the kitchen.
What weighs most heavily on Au’s mind is the possibility of losing her home. The Hong Kong government is taking steps to regulate what it classifies as inadequate living conditions in subdivided apartments. New regulations, which set forth minimum sizes and other basic standards for housing, are expected to be enacted this year following the conclusion of a recent public consultation.
These proposed rules have instilled uncertainty among many low-income families like Au’s in one of the most exorbitantly priced housing markets globally. After relocating from mainland China nine years ago, Au, a housewife, shares her family’s struggle with finances, as they pay around $460 monthly for rent—half of her husband’s inconsistent income from renovation work.
“I fear that rent might rise to a point where we won’t be able to afford it,” Au lamented, seated on the bottom bunk, surrounded by clothing, storage boxes, and a fan.
Housing remains a contentious issue in Hong Kong, which has one of the lowest affordability rates worldwide. With a population of approximately 7.5 million residing in a territory primarily composed of steep hills, only 7% of the total land—equivalent to around 80 square kilometers (or 30 square miles)—is designated for residential use. As of December last year, the average price for apartments smaller than 40 square meters (430 square feet) varied between $13,800 and $16,800 per square meter, depending on the location.
According to Beijing, which views housing problems as a catalyst for the 2019 protests against the government, there is an objective to phase out subdivided apartments by the year 2049. Concurrently, the local government aims to improve the public housing supply by planning to construct 189,000 new flats over the next five years.
However, around 220,000 individuals—including migrants, laborers, students, and young professionals—rely on subdivided housing solutions. While the government asserts that most subdivided apartments are close to meeting standards, it estimates that roughly 33,000 units will require significant renovations to comply.
The upcoming legislation includes provisions mandating a minimum unit size of at least eight square meters (86 square feet). The thought behind this is to allocate space for more affordable housing options. Additionally, all units must come equipped with a window, an exclusive toilet for the occupants, and a door separating the toilet from the rest of the living area.
Landlords will be granted a grace period to make necessary renovations. Failure to comply afterward could lead to penalties of up to three years in prison and fines reaching about $38,500.
Living in multiple subdivided homes for over a decade, security guard Fafa Ching is currently paying about $490 a month for a unit that lacks even a basic bathroom sink. She finds herself needing to collect water from the showerhead using a basin for washing. Like many others, her home would require renovations to adhere to the proposed standards for fire safety and separate utility meters.
Ching is concerned that any enhancements to living conditions will likely lead to increased rental prices beyond her means.
The government has stated its intention to offer assistance, which may include helping affected residents find alternative private accommodations or directly providing temporary shelter. A senior official assured that large-scale enforcement of the new rules will happen only once suitable resettlement arrangements are in place.
In this context, social scientist Chan Siu-ming, from the City University of Hong Kong, commended the move towards establishing minimum housing standards, but expressed skepticism concerning the adequacy of resettlement strategies. Chan noted that the ramifications of this legislation could be broader than anticipated, and the influx of public housing may fall short of actual needs. Low-income families also face challenges in managing the costs associated with relocating, he indicated.
As of September, the average wait for public housing stretches to five and a half years, with some individuals waiting even longer, including Ching, who has been on the list for eight years.
The government has communicated that it does not anticipate significant increases in rental rates, as demand will dip alongside increased public housing availability. Furthermore, it emphasized that the new regulations will be gradually implemented to prevent panic among residents.
In conclusion, for Au, uncertainty looms as she remains uncertain whether her unit meets the new minimum requirements. As neighbors discuss the implications of these new regulations, she hopes that the government will help transition affected families to housing that aligns with their current rental rates. Until then, all she can do is take it day by day, as contemplating the situation too deeply could impact her mental health.
