Housing is a basic necessity, and everyone desires to have their own comfortable nest. In Hong Kong, a bustling city, housing has always been a major concern for its residents. Some citizens choose to live in transitional housing to escape cramped living conditions.
What are the conveniences that Hong Kong people value in public housing? Several factors cannot be ignored: location, affordability, proximity to shopping and transportation options. These aspects have been the subject of discussions regarding public and private housing, and they have always been important to the people of Hong Kong. In May of this year, news about a single man finally being allocated a public housing unit after a 10-year wait sparked discussions. People discussed the wealth gap, the difficulty of obtaining public housing, and offered their congratulations to the fortunate individual. This highlights the strong demand for public housing among the public.
Public housing provides warmth of a home for the residents. Image/Source: Internet
Recently, in a series of discussions on the old housing community, there have been mentions of “unreasonable public housing designs.” Some netizens criticized the past designs for inadequate ventilation, lack of warmth due to overcrowding, and emphasized the importance of convenient transportation and beautiful scenery. They believe that modern society has become more indifferent. In reality, previous public housing designs did consider the need for ventilation in densely populated areas and the importance of convenient transportation. They included more pathways and bus routes to facilitate commuting and daily life. It is evident that Hong Kong people wish to maintain the intercommunication among individuals and the convenience of transportation.
Public housing provides warmth of a home for the residents. Image/Source: Internet
In the public housing discussion forum on a Hong Kong Facebook group, the topic of railway construction was brought up. Netizens expressed their desire for the completion of the western section of the South Island Line and hoped for an additional station in Chi Fu Fa Yuen. Some netizens believed it would enhance transportation convenience, while others expressed concerns about reduced minibus services in the eastern part of Ap Lei Chau due to the construction of the railway. The differing needs between public and private housing and the waiting time for transportation at different locations sparked discussions. However, most netizens agreed that the construction of a railway station at Wah Fu and Chi Fu together would stimulate economic progress in the surrounding area, making the neighborhood better. Hong Kong people value quality housing, convenient transportation, and the warmth of its people. Urgent steps must be taken on the path of improving residential and transportation infrastructure.
Public housing arrangements that truly benefit the grassroots population aim to provide not just a roof over their heads but also the feeling of home and warmth. For individuals with special needs, appropriate support is also hoped to be provided.
Keywords: Chi Fu Fa Yuen, South Island Line (western section), Wah Fu Station, public housing, transportation, MTR