A housing profile of Hong Kong. Focusing on current supply issues and the government’s approach to meeting housing needs. Exhibiting some of the the best and worst examples of living conditions in one of the most densely populated countries in the world, it concludes with some recommendations for change.

1. Housing and Settlements
Hong Kong SAR Profile
May 2014
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2. Contents

3. Hong Kong has transitioned from a high
growth phase to a low growth phase.
(World Population Review, 2014)
1. Introduction
1.1 Administration
1.2 Population and Demographics
H

4. 1.3 Economy 2
4
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
(2013)
5
Florida; Martin Prosperity Institute (2011)

5. 2. Housing Stock
2.1 Overview 3
2.2 Affordability

7. 3. Types of Housing
(Please see appendix 1 for a more specific description of each individual house type)
3.1 Formal 6

8. Hong Kong is a heaven to rich families a
hell to grass roots.
(Ho Lap College, 2013)
3.2 Informal 7

9. Hong Kong aims to take a supply–led
strategy with a focus on public housing
(Policy Address, 2014)
4. Market Shortfall
4.1 Present and Future Need
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11. 5. Property Acquisition
5.1 Middle-to-High Income Households
5.2 Middle-Income Households
F

12. 5.3 Low-Income Households 11

13. 6. Case Study: Sham Shui Po
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14. 6.1 Health and Wellbeing12
6.2 Sanitation and Ventilation
6.3 Safety

15. 6.4 Cost 13

16. Finding an adequate amount of land to
meet Hong Kong’s housing supply target
will involve making choices and accepting
trade-offs.
(Policy Address, 2014)
7. Barriers to Development
7.1 Land Availability 14
7.2 Maintaining Economic Growth
7.3 Upholding Liberal Principles

17. In all markets Hong Kong is keen to
uphold its “Big Market, Small
Government” principles.
(HK Government, 2012)
7.4 Interest Rates 15

18. 8. Conclusion
8.1 Suggestions for Improvement 16
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20. Appendix 1
Specific Description of House Types

24. Bibliography