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OLD TENEMENTS

In Hong Kong, the government provides public housing through flats which are rented at a lower price than the markets, and through the Home Ownership Scheme, which are sold at a lower price.

Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
In Shek Kip Mei Estate, in 1953, the first resettlement estate rose from the ashes of the fire to provide emergency relief for the 50 000 squatters who were left homeless.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate

In year 2003, Hong Kong has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the public housing programme since the tragic fire at the Shek Kip Mei squatter area.

Since year 1953, seven millions of people has been housed. In year 2006, Shek Kip Mei Estate demolition started.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate

In year 2003, the number of applicants on the waiting list has been reduced to about 90 000 from 150 000 in 1997. The average waiting time has been reduced to from over six years in 1997 to less than three years.

Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
The public housing projects have mushroomed everywhere in Hong Kong due to the influx of millions of mainland Chinese people in the coming decades.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate

In year 2002, public estates housed more than two millions people.

The Public housing estate units were very small, i.e 120 sq. ft., and housed a whole family a few decades ago.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate

The people living there cooked their meals in the corridors outside their flats. They had no private toilets in their flats.

Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
About half of Hong Kong residents now live in public housing estates.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
The vast majority of the public housing estates are high-rise buildings. The recent buildings now reach 40 storeys.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Built between 1954 and 1955, Lower Shek Kip Mei Estate comprises 29 blocks of six to seven storey H-shaped buildings. Each unit has a modest size of about 120 square feet with shared toilet and shower facilities in the central corridors linking the two wings.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate

These blocks were redeveloped into self-contained units in the early 1980s.

Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate Block 41 will be preserved for its historical value.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate

In year 2004, about 2.1M people or 31% of Hong Kong's population lived in public rental housing estates. There is another 18% in subsidised home ownership flats.

Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
In year 2005, the total housing stock in Hong Kong totalled 2 451 300 flats, comprising 720 300 public rental housing flats, 390 500 subsidised home ownership flats and 1 340 600 flats in the private sector.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Deteriorating buildings and unauthorized structures have created many problems in building management and fire prevention in Sham Shui Po district.
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate
Shek Kip Mei Public housing Estate


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