As social scientists, we continually advocate for evidence-based practices in social policy formulation, especially in the political context of targeted poverty alleviation (精準扶貧). In light of the government’s latest public consultation on regulating and eliminating substandard subdivided units (SDU, 劏房), it is crucial to approach this issue with objective evidence.
In my recent article in MingPao (publish date: 23/01/2025), I remind the public and policymakers not to prematurely shift our attention solely to the impact of the proposed framework. Instead, let’s take a step back and consider the underlying philosophy of how housing environment, especially such a cramped living environment with various intertwining issues, affects quality of life. We must note the demographics and pain points of the population, particularly families in SDU. They are more prone to the living environment challenges at housing- and neighbourhood- level, as children are consistently in need of time and resources. And we must question what truly causes a deteriorating quality of life for these families, and identify which aspects are (not) compromisable, given their financial constraints. So, the question remains: are the families in SDU in desperate need of a regulated housing environment, or other supportive, targeted measures for poverty alleviation?
Due to word limits, I wasn’t able to delve into the rich literature and some overseas examples for thoughts, such as the Tiny House Movement in the US and the minimalist living style in Japan. They are some counterintuitive (pursuing for smaller but adequate living environment), but reasonable and intriguing examples that worth our further studies.
Note: I extend my heartfelt thanks to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for funding the project “HKJC Linking Hub,” which supports research and services related to the quality of life of SDU families. Special thanks to Prof. Frances YW Law for her unwavering support and supervision, and to all my colleagues for their tremendous efforts. Additionally, my sincere gratitude goes to the four collaborating NGOs—Lady Maclehose Center (LMC), The Salvation Army, Yaumatei Integrated Service for Young People, YWCA, and St. James’ Settlement — for their concerted efforts in assisting SDU families across different districts in Hong Kong.
As more data is coming, we hope to lead a more comprehensive discussion later this year.
From LinkedIn Post
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