“Right to housing” in Hong Kong: Perspectives from the Hong Kong community

The “right to housing” incorporates at least five different dimensions, all of which are indispensible for minimum satisfaction of this right: (1) the “right to adequate housing”; (2) the “right to affordable housing”; (3) the “right to enjoy” one’s housing without arbitrary interference; (4) freedom from the threat of arbitrary forced eviction; and (5) the “right of choice” in relation to: (5a) the decision to rent or home-ownership; and (5b) the neighbourhood one is to live in accordance with needs, preferences and lifestyle. Though the provision of public rental housing in Hong Kong supports the “right to housing” of the poorer class, unfortunately the low-income and non-self-contained private housing tenants are facing a somewhat disturbing situation. Although the “right to housing” for self-contained private housing tenants, government assisted home-owners and non-government-assisted home-owners is generally protected, their “right to enjoy housing” is, to a certain extent, circumscribed by the densely built and cramped situation in most residential areas in Hong Kong, with the “right to privacy” generally difficult to satisfy. Copyright © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business.