Cage Homes and Subdivided Flats: The Hong Kong Housing Challenge

The Ongoing Housing Dilemma

The Hong Kong government, faced with the pressing issue of cage homes and subdivided flats, has proposed new minimum requirements for rental properties. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin suggests that a minimum size of eight square metres is necessary, yet many criticize it as inadequate. Authorities are caught in a balance between improving living conditions and awaiting the availability of public housing.

Government’s Approach to Housing Supply

• The government aims to address the concerns raised by Xia Baolong, highlighting the need to eliminate substandard homes.
• Plans were unveiled by John Lee Ka-chiu that aim to affect about 30,000 of the 110,000 existing subdivided homes.
• Critiques arose regarding the timeline and ambition of these initiatives amidst rising patience among the population for substantial improvements.

Subdivided Homes and Living Standards

During an exclusive interview, Ho outlined the meticulous study surrounding housing standards. Raising the minimum size to nine or ten square metres could delay the resolution of substandard living conditions for as many as 40 to 50 percent of households.

Hope for Future Developments

1. Plans for a new bill addressing regulations are in place, aimed for completion within a year.
2. Registered landlords will face deadlines for compliance, introducing legal frameworks for basic housing units.
3. Enforcement could continue throughout the term of the current government into 2027, subject to future assessments of living conditions.

Sector Impacts and Community Responses

As authorities seek to improve Hong Kong's housing landscape, Winnie Ho emphasizes a balanced approach that considers all urban residents' needs. While retaining some existing conditions of subdivided flats, future reforms promise to enhance the quality of living through structured regulations.