Effects of transitional housing in enhancing the quality of life of low-income groups in Hong Kong

Abstract

Hong Kong is a city which is facing with various housing problems, which in turn leads to substandard housing and unsatisfactory housing environment. The problem is especially acute for the low-income group, and often result in personal and other social problems. Housing problems include shortage of land, limited land supply from government, high land price, long queue for public rental housing, lack of tenancy control, underestimation on demand, and lack of a comprehensive planning on the allocation of land, etc. Development of transitional housing by the government and run by non-government organizations serves as a temporary measure to assist those living in housing with poor environment. The dissertation would explore the differences in quality of life of the low-income groups before and after living in transitional housing. In addition, their satisfaction level, and possible improvements on different aspects of transitional housing would be explored. Views of the residents who moved into newly developed transitional housing were collected through a questionnaire survey. It was found that the residents were generally satisfied with their quality of life as shown by a high satisfaction level in physiological, financial, housing condition, and social network aspects. The majority of residents agreed that the living environment and amenities were much better than their previous residences, in addition to the supports from NGOs for getting into the living there and also the community. However, most residents hope that more support could be available such as assistance in job seeking, and provide more activities regularly for enjoyment and connection with other residents etc. In short, transitional housing provided housing at a reasonable price with sufficient facilities and amenities. Residents were satisfied with the various supports provided, though temporary in provision, such as physical and psychological aspect, housing condition, finance, and social network, before finding another decent housing. Nevertheless, there is room for further improvement for the provision of transitional housing by government or NGOs in the future, including construction, design of the building and community, supports and cooperation from the involved parties, in order to enhance the quality of life of the low-income group. These issues need to be further discussed and planned among the stakeholders like government, NGO, the public and the professional for construction etc.