Backlash over $4.5 billion Hong Kong housing scheme poses headache for John Lee

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HONG KONG - A flagship $3.4 billion (S$4.5 billion) plan by Hong Kong to build temporary housing to ease a massive shortage is facing fierce criticism over its high cost and the absence of a longer-term solution in one of the world's most unaffordable property markets. The global financial hub has long struggled with sky-high house prices, which have rocketed...

A view shows light public housing mock-up unit in Hong Kong, China, on Jan 30, 2023.HONG KONG - A flagship $3.4 billion plan by Hong Kong to build temporary housing to ease a massive shortage is facing fierce criticism over its high cost and the absence of a longer-term solution in one of the world's most unaffordable property markets.

But critics have slammed the HK$26.4 billion price-tag, noting that each unit costs about the same as permanent public housing and say the scheme is merely a band-aid solution to a festering problem that could potentially feed discontent. "Wherever the location is there would be opposition voices," said Simon Yau, professor of urban studies at Lingnan University of Hong Kong, noting the criticism over the proposed locations of the houses, some of which are in far away urban areas.Authorities last month announced eight locations for the homes that would have a unit size of 140 to 330 square feet to accommodate families of one to five people.

Hong Kong is notorious for its number of subdivided flats, estimated at 110,000 units at a median area of 124 square feet, smaller than a parking space. Even though their condition is extremely poor, their floor rent is 70per cent higher than overall floor rent in the city. The lawmakers said the project at Kai Tak in Kowloon, the most controversial among the eight sites, would further pressure already burdened facilities and transport networks in the area.

 

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