Sowk1001
SOWK1001
(Introduction to Social Administration)
Term Paper
Name: Lo Dick Chung
University number: 2007280142
Question: Discuss the debate evolved around the privatization of the public housing in Hong Kong. Use the issue of The Link to illustrate your discussion. What are the pros and cons of this scheme?
A. Introduction The public housing development has a long history in Hong Kong. According to statistics, more than 50% of the population resides in the public housing estates. Among this, 30% of them are living in rental unites while the other 20% are residing in the H.O.S. flats (Yeung, 2008). By the end of 1990s, a total number of 654, 000 units have been provided to the community at affordable rentals and 308,000 households own their home through different schemes introduced by the Housing Authority (HA) (Poon, 2004). Hong Kong is even the city which owns the second largest number of housing stocks in the Asia Pacific Region (HKHA, 2005). Undoubtedly, the housing policy in Hong Kong plays an extremely important role in people’s welfare. To cater such a large demand, housing has become a large financial burden to the government. Therefore, the government has started the privatization of public housing bit by bit since 1970s. For example, the Long Term Housing Strategy suggested in 1987, as well as the appointment of the Private Management Agencies (PMAs) to manage the HOS in 1990 (Poon, 2004). Yet, there is a turning point in 2004. The set up of The Link REIT has triggered a huge debate in the society. In this essay, the function of public housing will be firstly defined. Later, the privatization of housing in Hong Kong will be explored. Furthermore, the background of the Link REIT will be introduced and its pros and cons will be comprehensively investigated.
B. Housing Policy development in Hong Kong The housing development has changed over time and there are some major policies of housing in Hong
(Introduction to Social Administration)
Term Paper
Name: Lo Dick Chung
University number: 2007280142
Question: Discuss the debate evolved around the privatization of the public housing in Hong Kong. Use the issue of The Link to illustrate your discussion. What are the pros and cons of this scheme?
A. Introduction The public housing development has a long history in Hong Kong. According to statistics, more than 50% of the population resides in the public housing estates. Among this, 30% of them are living in rental unites while the other 20% are residing in the H.O.S. flats (Yeung, 2008). By the end of 1990s, a total number of 654, 000 units have been provided to the community at affordable rentals and 308,000 households own their home through different schemes introduced by the Housing Authority (HA) (Poon, 2004). Hong Kong is even the city which owns the second largest number of housing stocks in the Asia Pacific Region (HKHA, 2005). Undoubtedly, the housing policy in Hong Kong plays an extremely important role in people’s welfare. To cater such a large demand, housing has become a large financial burden to the government. Therefore, the government has started the privatization of public housing bit by bit since 1970s. For example, the Long Term Housing Strategy suggested in 1987, as well as the appointment of the Private Management Agencies (PMAs) to manage the HOS in 1990 (Poon, 2004). Yet, there is a turning point in 2004. The set up of The Link REIT has triggered a huge debate in the society. In this essay, the function of public housing will be firstly defined. Later, the privatization of housing in Hong Kong will be explored. Furthermore, the background of the Link REIT will be introduced and its pros and cons will be comprehensively investigated.
B. Housing Policy development in Hong Kong The housing development has changed over time and there are some major policies of housing in Hong
References: Chiu, S., (1994). The Politics of Laissez-faire: Hong Kong’s Strategy of Industrialization in Historical Perspective. Hong Kong: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. ENG, D. (2005, May 18). Dual appeal filed over Link Reit. South China Morning Post. pp. EDT3. Hong Kong Housing Authority and Housing Department (2005). Retrieved April 13, 2008, from http://www.housingauthority.gov.hk. Kemp, R. L.(ed), 1991. Privatization: The Provision of Public Services by the Private Sector. North Carolina and London: Mcfarland & Company Inc. Paul W. (1986). In Defence of the Welfare State page 5 ,5,54, Manchester: University Press Poon, K.Y Robinson, R. & Judge H. (1986). Public Expenditure , Privatisation and the Welfare State in Britain [J] . King 's Fund Institute Discussion Paper, ( 1 ). Link (2008) Retrieved April 13, 2008, from http://www.thelinkreit.com/en/corp/overview.asp The Editorial of Ming Po (in English), “Re-launch of LINK REIT”, Ming Po, 8/9/05 Yiu and Yau (2006) Empirical Study in Hong Kong, Discussion Paper, Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong 對領匯商場及街市清潔工的工資及福利調查報告(2007) 私有化私營化 最終就係益商家(2007). Retrieved 15 April 2008, from www.linkwatch.hk 譚美芳 (2008)