The Housing Dilemma
A few weeks ago, the Hong Kong Council for Social Services proposed the Community Housing Movement, where underprivileged families can rent rooms in private housing estates at below-market prices. The government is also currently examining the possibility of turning cargo containers into living spaces for the poor to live in. What do you think about such alternate ways of housing? Well, in this article, I’m going to discuss the pros and cons of such housing, so if you want to know what I think, read on!
On the good side, such alternative housing can definitely increase the supply of living spaces in the short run. That must be a relief for many underprivileged families, right? With the increase in supply, the rental price of properties will hopefully fall to more affordable levels. What’s more, under the Community Housing Movement, families can actually live in a better environment. Private housing, where the families will live, has better facilities and security, and safety precautions and regulations for fire are properly observed. So, the families can live in safer and more comfortable settings. When compared with the subdivided flats, which are crammed and often sub-standard in terms of fire safety and hygiene, private housing is the better choice. That’s a no-brainer.
Another benefit the proposed housing brings, especially for the option the government is considering, is that it can reflect the government’s determination in solving the housing problem, and this might be able to extinguish the flames and anger that are brewing in society. The government has long been criticized for its inability and insincerity in dealing with the overheating housing market and skyrocketing housing prices. After the failure of building enough public housing units on brown-field sites, public discontent is on the verge of peaking. So, it is of paramount importance, now more than ever, that the government shows its commitment in solving the housing problem. The fact that the government is contemplating different choices to increase supply of living spaces can send the public a message that the government understands their plight and is working very hard to help. This can help increase the credibility of the government and reduce conflicts, especially for those who are not satisfied with the government’s performance.
However, there’re always two sides to the same coin, and such housing alternatives don’t come without their pitfalls.
First, these housing methods are by no means sustainable and long-term solutions. The Community Housing Movement is only able to provide cheaper private housing if there are tenants who’re willing to lease out their flats at lower-than-market prices, and this in itself is very unsustainable. People just can’t be expected to turn down lucrative rental deals in favor of charitable work, especially when thousands of dollars per month are on the line. Thus, if not so many private-housing owners are willing to give up part of their rental income, the Movement will not be able to continue, and underprivileged families will be forced to return to the sub-divided flats. There’s simply no guarantee in the operation of the Community Housing Movement.
Second, such housing plans could cause Hong Kong’s international image to decline. I mean, what sort of government thinks of allowing its people to sleep in cargo containers like merchandise? Hong Kong, as the Pearl of the Orient, is a glamorous and affluent city to many people. However, such housing exposes the less privileged side of Hong Kong, where people are forced to live in dire situations. Not only this, the appalling living conditions would also show the Hong Kong government’s oversight of a serious social problem. This would cause Hong Kong’s international image of a perfect city to decline.
Long-term solutions are definitely needed to solve the housing problem. What do you think? Let’s have faith in the government and endeavor to find a solution for this!