A group of Kwai Chung subdivided unit tenants have called on the government to resettle those displaced when the authorities begin phasing out “substandard” subdivided housing. The Kwai Chung Subdivided Units Kai Fong Association, a group of tenants and housing activists based around the industrial district, on Monday made their demands, calling for rent caps and comprehensive resettlement plans at a press conference held days after Chief Executive John Lee proposed new rules for subdivided housing. Delivering his third Policy Address last Wednesday, Lee announced a plan to phase out subdivided flats smaller than eight square metres, along with those lacking a window and toilet.
The Kwai Chung concern group said the government needed to set a per capita limit on floorspace, as a family of four living in a subdivided unit measuring roughly eight square metres would only have about two square metres per person. Such a small space would “seriously” affect residents’ mental and physical health, while relationships between family members could also suffer, the concern group said. Lee said last week that the lack of such a limit would allow for “flexibility,” for instance, if a couple living in a subdivided welcomed a child into the family.
The Kwai Chung group also called for a cap on initial rents, as the resulting shortage in flats was expected to lead to a price surge. “Residents are concerned that landlords will also seek to recoup renovation costs by hiking re.