Dr. Kevin Lau
Sense of belonging is a feeling that individuals have when they feel connected to a country, region, community, school, religion, or any group and are accepted by its members. This emotional need for acceptance and belonging can be expressed through identification, loyalty, affection, and reliance. While it may seem subjective as it is based on personal feelings, it becomes undeniably real when we observe where others choose to settle or cheer passionately for athletes representing their beloved country.
The Chinese, in particular, have a tendency to associate their sense of belonging with geographical origins. I noticed long ago that many elderly individuals have the character "根" (meaning "roots") in their names. In modern society, this geographical sense of belonging is not only related to one's place of birth but also to homeownership. House purchasing is a significant life event, and when someone purchases a property in a particular location, it clearly indicates a strong sense of belonging to that place.
It is often said that we should increase the sense of belonging among the younger generation in Hong Kong. However, it is not easy for them to become homeowners in Hong Kong, and the homeownership rate among young people is even lower. According to statistics, homeowners under the age of 35 account for only 7.6% of the total self-owned properties. Without a home of their own, it is difficult for them to establish roots and subsequently experience a sense of belonging.
Hong Kong has a free-market economy, and relying solely on market forces to reduce the difficulty for young people to enter the housing market would be an insurmountable challenge. Therefore, if we want to strengthen their sense of belonging to Hong Kong by increasing their homeownership rate, the government needs to intervene. By saying this, I do not mean that the government should give money to young people to buy properties. Instead, it should take a multi-faceted approach to address the housing needs of young people and create a supportive environment for them.
Take the construction of the home ownership ladder as an example, the government should not only provide a stable supply of private housing but also subsidize the sale of properties through programs such as the "Homeownership Scheme" "Green Form Subsidized Home Ownership Scheme" and " "Starter Homes" Pilot Scheme for Hong Kong Residents", these methods are practical. When the "2020 Sale of Home Ownership Scheme Flats" took place, nearly 75% of the applicants were young people aged 40 or below, indicating that the government's introduction of more subsidized housing units for sale indeed helps young people achieve homeownership.
The author is a specialist in Radiology, Master of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong, Advisor of Our Hong Kong Foundation.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Comment