Public Housing in the Global Cities: Hong Kong and Singapore at the Crossroads

Anutosh Das

doi:10.11648/j.urp.20210601.14

Abstract

Affordable Housing, the basic human necessity has now become a critical problem in global cities with direct impacts on people's well-being. While a well-functioning housing market may augment the economic efficiency and productivity of a city, it may trigger housing affordability issues leading crucial economic and political crises side by side if not handled properly. In global cities e.g. Singapore and Hong Kong where affordable housing for all has become one of the greatest concerns of the Government, this issue can be tackled capably by the provision of public housing. In Singapore, nearly 90% of the total population lives in public housing including public rental and subsidized ownership, whereas the figure tally only about 45% in Hong Kong. Hence this study is an effort to scrutinizing the key drivers of success in affordable public housing through following a qualitative case study based research methodological approach to present successful experience and insight from different socio-economic and geo-political context. As a major intervention, this research has clinched that, housing affordability should be backed up by demand-side policies aiming to help occupants and proprietors to grow financial capacity e.g. subsidized rental and subsidized ownership can be an integral part of the public housing system to improve housing affordability.

Highlights

Affordable Housing, the basic human necessity has become a critical problem in global cities with direct impacts on people's well-being
The stories of housing markets and housing affordability are quite different in the two nations
This section will look diligently into the major socio-economic development indicators of the two cities, followed by the comparative understandings of their public housing policies and highlighting the key drivers contributing to the different outcomes

Summary

The Tale of Two Cities

The two cities, Hong Kong and Singapore most often compared for their socio-economic condition and housing development. Both cities, located nearly 2500 kilometers apart in the western Pacific Rim, are widely recognized and paralleled for their associated prompt and widespread socio-economic development as well as demographic condition, geographic location and so on (Figure 1). This section will look diligently into the major socio-economic development indicators of the two cities, followed by the comparative understandings of their public housing policies and highlighting the key drivers contributing to the different outcomes. Anutosh Das: Public Housing in the Global Cities: Hong Kong and Singapore at the Crossroads (Source: Author, 2020) Figure 1. Provision of affordable housing has a direct impact on the well-being of the people and society as well If handle carefully, It can enhance a city's economic productivity.

Housing Policy in Singapore and Hong Kong: A Comparative Understanding

Public Housing in Singapore: A Success Story

Housing Finance System

Strong Political Commitment and Efficient Administration

Findings

Concluding Remark