The “Demolish Subdivided Units Support Network” organized a “Consultation Forum on Demolishing Subdivided Units” on the 19th. However, representatives from various government departments and the “Task Force on Resolving Subdivided Unit Issues” refused to attend. The group urged the authorities not to work behind closed doors. They suggested setting standards and a timetable for demolishing subdivided units, emphasizing the importance of arranging resettlement in the original areas and providing at least ten thousand affordable rental units in urban areas. They also called for the Task Force to meet and consult with subdivided unit residents and civil society groups before implementing any demolishing plans to address residents’ concerns and develop more appropriate policies.
Over 60 subdivided unit residents and representatives from different subdivided unit hotspots in Hong Kong attended the consultation forum. During the event, residents discussed the details of demolishing subdivided units and related policy measures. Social welfare lawmaker Dick Tse, adjunct professor at City University Yip Yim Ming, assistant professor at Lingnan University, and assistant project manager at Christian Concern for the Homeless Liu Cui Wah were invited to respond. The group hopes to incorporate the voices of grassroots citizens throughout the process of demolishing subdivided units to ensure more comprehensive policy implementation.
The group believes that when authorities demolish subdivided units, efforts should be made to arrange resettlement in the original areas with affordable rents and sufficient transportation facilities to prevent residents from being relocated to distant or homeless situations due to demolishing measures. They also recommend that the government learn from past experiences in dealing with inappropriate dwellings and the operation models of public housing estates to construct no fewer than ten thousand affordable rental units in urban areas. Additionally, they suggest utilizing vacant units aged 40 years or above in public housing estates in each district or idle school buildings for resettlement purposes.
During the forum, some residents suggested that the government provide one-time cash subsidies for residents affected by demolishing measures who are unable or unwilling to move into the designated units to move to suitable units within the district.
Furthermore, residents raised concerns about safety hazards in the units, such as concrete falling from the ceiling and exposed wiring in units and corridors, which could lead to electric shock and fire hazards.
The group proposed that the authorities consider five key areas to prioritize demolishing subdivided units, including building capacity, conditions of temporary structures and equipment, building management and sanitation conditions, window and drainage conditions, and fire safety.
Residents from various districts expressed that there are no formal channels for them to express their views, expressing concern that the Task Force may not fully understand their living conditions and concerns. They hope that the government and the Task Force on Resolving Subdivided Unit Issues will conduct highly transparent public consultations.
The “Demolish Subdivided Units Support Network” stated that they had invited the Task Force to meet with residents for today’s consultation forum, but both government representatives and Task Force members refused to attend the event. Hence, they urge the Task Force to meet and consult with subdivided unit residents and civil society groups before introducing any demolishing plans to allay residents’ concerns and incorporate feedback to formulate the most suitable and effective strategies for implementing relevant policies.
The Task Force on Resolving Subdivided Unit Issues was proposed in the 2023 Policy Address, with the Deputy Financial Secretary as the head and the Director of Housing as the deputy head.
The group believes that solely relying on government enforcement may not be sufficient to address the over 100,000 subdivided unit households. They suggest establishing channels or hotlines for residents to voluntarily report and request initiating demolishing procedures, with government officials conducting thorough inspections and risk assessments of the subdivided units. Once a unit is confirmed to be non-compliant, a legally binding administrative order should be issued to require the owner to rectify the unit, along with frequent inspections and empowering law enforcement officers with sufficient evidence-gathering authority to prevent cases from being unresolved due to difficulties in obtaining evidence.
The group also advocates for the government to establish minimum standards for residential units, such as minimum area requirements, limits on the number of subdivided rooms, and kitchen and bathroom specifications. They propose implementing a licensing system based on these requirements to ensure that new units meet livable standards, while existing subdivided units must be progressively registered to meet the relevant criteria, ultimately eliminating inappropriate living conditions.