Exploring policy options to combat illegal microapartments in Hong Kong

Abstract

Illegal building can take multiple forms, including squatter settlements and illegal building extensions. Among the various forms of illegal building, illegal microapartments (IMAs), which take the form of unauthorised subdivided housing units, have recently aroused wide public concern in Hong Kong. On account of their unlawful nature, IMAs pose serious threats to the safety of local communities by undermining structural stability and fire safety in buildings. They may also adversely affect natural lighting and ventilation for building occupants. Fatal fires in buildings with IMAs in recent years have demonstrated the painful consequence of ignoring this issue in the city. Nonetheless, the problem of IMAs has seldom attracted scholarly attention around the world. In light of the seriousness of the IMA problem in Hong Kong, this study explores workable policy options for cracking down on the problem. It reviews policies or proposals in different jurisdictions to crack down on IMAs. Then a threeround policy Delphi study is carried out with a panel of stakeholders to identify and prioritise policy options for combating IMAs in Hong Kong. Various measures are proposed or identified by the panel members, ranging from increasing the frequency of building inspections and imposing stricter penalties on non-conforming owners to licensing IMAs for private renting. Among these options, stricter enforcement is considered the most workable option. The results of the policy Delphi study are discussed and policy recommendations are made.

Risk factors associated with bedbug (Cimex spp.) infestations among Hong Kong households: a cross-sectional study

“…Faced with the global threat of bedbug resurgence, simultaneous top-down and bottom-up approaches are required. Examples of top-down approaches are anti-poverty policies, increasing the supply and shortening the waiting time of public housing, and relief and cleaning services for those in deprived housing (Li, 2001;WHO, 2018;Wong and Chan, 2019;Yau and Ho, 2017). Bottom-up approaches focus on empowering and building resilience of the public to address bedbugs themselves, especially vulnerable groups at risk or already suffering from bedbugs.…”

“…Subdivided ats are a unique housing type in Hong Kong that are formed from the splitting of a residential unit into two or more subdivisions; these subdivisions are crowded, and have many dilapidated features such as cracks in partitions or peeling wallpaper (Census and Statistics Department HKSAR, 2018;Yau and Ho, 2017). In 2016, households living in subdivided ats have median living oor area per capita of 56.5 ft 2 and median monthly household income of HKD13,500 (around USD1,700), both are lower than their respective medians for all domestic households (Census and Statistics Department HKSAR, 2018).…”

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population. The marginalised residents of subdivided ats often possess many health-related risk factors and socioeconomic disadvantages from having one or a mixture of low income, low education level, being elderly, migrant status, or rental in ation that outpace their salary increase (Li, 2001;Wong and Chan, 2019;Yau and Ho, 2017). Therefore, the building and occupant characteristics of subdivided ats are likely risk factors for the spread of bedbug infestations in Hong Kong (Cheung, 2017;Ting, 2019).

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Risk Factors Associated with Bedbug (Cimex spp.) Infestations Among Hong Kong Households: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Although the Hong Kong government fully recognize the housing issues, housing problems still have not been solved. Subdivided ats are a unique housing type in Hong Kong that are formed from the splitting of a residential unit into two or more subdivisions; these subdivisions are crowded, and have many dilapidated features such as cracks in partitions or peeling wallpaper (Census and Statistics Department HKSAR, 2018;Yau and Ho, 2017). In 2016, households living in subdivided ats have median living oor area per capita of 56.5 ft 2 and median monthly household income of HKD13,500 (around USD1,700), both are lower than their respective medians for all domestic households (Census and Statistics Department HKSAR, 2018).…”

“…The formation of subdivided ats is driven by the constraints on developable land and the rising demand for housing from the in ux of economic migrants and a growing and aging population. The marginalised residents of subdivided ats often possess many health-related risk factors and socioeconomic disadvantages from having one or a mixture of low income, low education level, being elderly, migrant status, or rental in ation that outpace their salary increase (Li, 2001;Wong and Chan, 2019;Yau and Ho, 2017). Therefore, the building and occupant characteristics of subdivided ats are likely risk factors for the spread of bedbug infestations in Hong Kong (Cheung, 2017;Ting, 2019).…”