Hong Kong’s tiny subdivided flats a big problem that needs urgent attention, but can city leader John Lee’s policy address come up with solutions?

Hong Kong is grappling with a significant issue concerning its tiny subdivided flats. These flats are so minuscule that accommodating a family becomes a challenge. A woman named Mimi Zhou* experienced this predicament when her three sons moved in with her into a 70 sq ft flat. The flat was so cramped that it could only accommodate a bunk bed for her two older sons. Mimi and her youngest son had to resort to sleeping on yoga mats on the floor. The situation was so dire that even a slight movement while cooking could wake them up. In 2021, Hong Kong had approximately 108,200 such tiny flats, with an average size of 118 sq ft. The monthly rent for these flats is HK$5,000 (US$639), which is a significant portion of many families' income. The government has initiated a plan to build transitional homes to alleviate this issue. These homes serve as temporary accommodation for families waiting for public rental flats. So far, 7,800 of these homes have been constructed, and another 13,200 are expected to be available by 2024. However, none of the 30,000 'light public housing' flats, another type of transitional home, have been completed yet. The government is also exploring ways to improve the design of these tiny flats and protect tenants from unfair rental contracts. They are also considering setting a minimum average living space per person and other criteria for what constitutes substandard housing. However, the implementation of these measures has been challenging. For instance, the government has only received about 13,400 forms from landlords detailing the rent of their flats. This is only about 10% of the flats that are included in the legislation. There have also been numerous complaints about the landlord legislation. In the meantime, Mimi and her family were able to relocate to a larger flat with the assistance of social workers. They now have a separate kitchen and some donated appliances. Although Mimi pays more rent now, she believes it's worth it. She still aspires to move into a public home as soon as possible. *Name changed at interviewee's request.