What housing crisis in Hong Kong?
Ian Brownlee says a look at the facts reveals that only a small percentage of Hongkongers live in very poor conditions. For the vast majority, quality of life issues take priority
There is no doubt that a lack of land sales by the administration under former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen resulted in a housing shortage. The current administration has made housing its overriding priority, calling it a crisis. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying says it "is the major concern of everyone in Hong Kong" and has called on the public, district councillors and green groups to support his proposals.
But is there really a crisis? The facts tend to show otherwise. Perhaps only a few see housing as a priority; for many, other things are more important. More housing is really important to a small group of people living in very poor conditions, but not to others.
There are usually two criteria applied to housing - affordability and quality. Affordability, to rent or buy, is an international problem facing cities such as London, Vancouver and Sydney. In many cities, the lack of subsidised housing is part of the problem, as those on lower incomes have no alternative. In "third world" cities, the problems are compounded by widespread poverty, a lack of public resources, large squatter or slum areas, and many homeless. Compared with these, Hong Kong is not in crisis.