The Hong Kong government’s to build 110,000 cage houses and flats is a complex housing problem due to limited space and high property prices. To eliminate or significantly reduce this problem, several measures can be considered:
1. Increase the supply of social housing: One key solution is to accelerate the construction of social housing to meet demand. The government can speed up the land acquisition process, simplify building permits and improve construction efficiency through modular or prefabricated buildings. 2. Brownfield Redevelopment: Brownfields, i.e. land that has been previously built upon and is currently unused, can be reclaimed and redeveloped into housing. The government could encourage private developers to build affordable housing or reclaim land for public use.
3. Implement rent control or subsidies: Implementing stricter rent control and housing subsidies can ease the financial burden on low-income residents by reducing reliance on subdivided housing. Direct rental assistance will allow more people to have larger, safer living spaces. 4. Land reclamation projects: Expanding Hong Kong's land area through land reclamation could create more residential space. Ongoing or planned projects, such as the Lantau Tomorrow Vision, aim to address the housing shortage by building new communities on artificial islands.
5. Strengthening Subdivision Regulations: While eliminating subdivisions altogether is a short-term challenge, stricter enforcement of building safety standards and tenant protections can reduce the prevalence of unsafe living conditions.
6. Developing satellite towns: Encouraging the development of new urban centres outside central Hong Kong could help disperse the population and provide affordable housing options.
7. Encouraging private sector participation: Governments can provide incentives for developers to build affordable housing or convert unused commercial space into residential units. This will help reduce pressure on the housing market. 8. Expanding transitional housing: Expanding transitional housing projects can provide immediate relief to people living in inadequate conditions while longer-term solutions are developed. They can be used as temporary housing for families waiting for public housing.
By implementing a combination of these strategies, the government can address the root causes of the housing crisis and reduce reliance on subdivided apartments and foreclosures.
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