Hong Kong Sets 86 Square Feet as the Minimum Housing Standard, Creating Another Problem: Where to House so Many People

Sometimes, solving one problem leads to a much bigger one.

Hong Kong living conditions
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Hong Kong faces a variety of challenges. For instance, it struggles with issues in sex education for young people, encouraging couples to curb their sexual desire by playing badminton. Economically, the city has invested heavily in becoming Asia’s tourist capital, yet still faces a shortage of tourists. But one issue looms above the rest, and the government is intent on tackling it: improving living conditions by banning excessively small homes. But even if it solves that, it has another problem: where to house so many people.

Subdivided housing. To understand the government’s recent action, it’s important to know about subdivided housing. These are extremely small living spaces created by dividing apartments or larger units into multiple smaller ones. Property owners rent these subdivided spaces—sometimes just a few square feet—to low-income families or individuals who can’t afford conventional housing in Hong Kong’s high-cost rental market.

Subdivided units are typically found in older buildings in densely populated, working-class neighborhoods, where landlords divide apartments to rent out as many units as possible. While these units are used as living quarters, they often come with poor ventilation, limited natural light, and inadequate sanitation. In some cases, kitchens and bathrooms are merged into a single area or shared among multiple units.

The problem is out of control. About 220,000 people live in subdivided housing in Hong Kong, a condition rooted in economic inequality and real estate speculation. In response, Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee has introduced a proposal to establish minimum standards for housing: units must be at least 86 square feet, include separate bathrooms and kitchens, and, if possible, have windows.

The government aims to eliminate this type of housing by 2049, partly due to its belief that poor living conditions contributed to the 2019 protests. However, this proposal introduces another challenge.

When your home doesn’t meet minimum standards. The New York Times recently highlighted stories like that of Liu Lanhua, a mother living with her daughter in an 80-square-foot space where the kitchen doubles as the bathroom. For Liu and nearly 30% of those in these units, the new standards could mean costly remodels or even losing their homes.

Experts warn of a familiar pattern in real estate speculation: that new regulations may drive up rents and lead to tenant evictions without adequate relocation options. Meanwhile, officials see these changes as essential to addressing the city’s housing shortage.

An unsolved problem—and it could get worse. Hong Kong’s new housing standards don’t address residents of so-called “coffin homes” or “cages,” spaces made of wire or wood that are even more precarious. In a recent meeting with the Kwun Tong Subdivided Home Concern Group, residents voiced concerns about whether subsidies would be available to those unable to afford higher rents and whether they would receive priority on public housing lists. Moon Tang, a mother of three, told the Times that residents’ incomes aren’t keeping pace with rising standards.

The government has stated the standards will be implemented gradually, with assistance available as needed. However, experts warn that the new regulations could make housing even less affordable, arguing that increased subsidies will be essential to support those who may be disadvantaged by the changes.

The impact on the elderly. Seniors are another vulnerable group affected by the proposed rules. Ben Shek, a retired technician, lives in a 60-square-foot unit and shares a bathroom with two other families. After a stroke left him with limited mobility, Shek values the stability of his current location, describing it as “vital,” like gold. For many elderly residents like Shek, relocation is simply not an option.

Overall, Hong Kong’s housing challenges mirror those of many major cities grappling with issues of housing, rental affordability, and speculation. While the new standards aim to improve living conditions, the city faces a critical test: how to enhance housing quality without deepening the affordability crisis for its most vulnerable residents.

Image | Aleksandar Pasaric

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