Journalist's Hands-On Experiences | The ongoing battle against subdivided flats in HK: Voices for change

The substandard subdivided units (SDUs), or "劏房," have persisted in Hong Kong for years, and eliminating them entirely quickly seems unlikely. The current government focuses on addressing the city's pressing land and housing challenges. Chief Executive John Lee presents his third Policy Address, proposing a System for Renting SDUs in Residential Buildings. The new standard units, Basic Housing Units, aim to replace subdivided units. 

According to Kowloon City District Councillor Lam Pok, their office frequently receives requests from residents urging them to expedite public housing applications. He emphasizes that solving the subdivided flat problem and accelerating public housing development are effective ways to tackle this issue.

The Kowloon City area, characterized by its old buildings and subdivided flats, reflects Hong Kong's broader housing crisis. Councillor Lam notes that many residents are new immigrants seeking affordable rent in grassroots neighborhoods. However, when calculated per square foot, these rents may not be as low as they seem. Families of four or five often live in cramped spaces of just 100 to 200 square feet, with public places like McDonald's, libraries, and community centers serving as their daytime retreats.

The living conditions in subdivided flats are typically poor, with hygiene, structural safety, and security issues. Lam expressed concern about evaluating which units qualify as new standard units, fearing it could lead to tenant evictions and hinder lease renewals. Additionally, he worries that a lack of manpower in government departments could slow down progress.

Lam recommends hiring retired civil servants from relevant departments, such as the police or housing authority, to assist with registering and understanding new standard unites. He also pointed out that many subdivided flats do not have separate electricity and water meters, leading to landlords overcharging for utilities and placing further financial burdens on tenants. He hopes to ensure that every unit has its own meters.

Regarding rent, Lam fears that landlords might increase prices to meet new standard unit requirements and suggests establishing initial rent levels based on local property rates and plot ratios. He is open to discussing setting a "per capita living area," though he worries that larger new standard units could lead to higher rents that low-income families cannot afford.

Data indicates that among the 110,000 subdivided units in Hong Kong, 60% of tenants qualify for public housing. With the government previously stating that the next five years will be a fruitful period for public housing supply, Lam's office continues to receive requests for assistance in expediting housing applications. He believes transitioning to temporary housing is a viable option for those in subdivided flats, as the rent is similar but offers better value.

Single mother Ms. Ng and her 5-year-old daughter live in a roughly 100-square-foot partitioned flat in To Kwa Wan, paying a monthly rent of HKD 4,450, plus around HKD 1,000 for utilities. This small space holds their hopes for a stable home. In addition to essentials like a cooking area, bed, and wardrobe, they have a study desk and bookshelf for kid's learning. Ms. Ng understands the importance of education due to its material constraints and prioritizes her daughter's schooling by enrolling her in art, taekwondo, and English classes. Currently, they survive on a monthly social security allowance of HKD 12,000, and she admits that budgeting is a constant challenge.

Having lived there for over three years and watched her daughter grow, Ms. Ng is eager to find a public housing unit. She has been on the waiting list since 2021 and is interested in applying for transitional housing. Previously, she moved to the New Territories hoping to speed up the process, but the wait remains long. For them, securing a public housing unit symbolizes stability and the opportunity for her daughter to grow up in a clean, comfortable environment with access to a stable education.

(Reported by Kay Li)

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