Hong Kong is one of the cities with highest population and employment density in the world. Some urban areas have density of more than 400,000 people per square kilometer. As a world’s leading international financial center, the city has the characteristic of free trade and low taxation.
However, a large amount of citizens with low income is not able to live in the public housing due to the Income and Total Net Asset Limits imposed by the government. As a result, low-income people are forced to spend much money in renting inconceivably small and expensive cubicle apartments ( with average area of 30 square feet/2.78 sqaure meter per apartment).
The “Jenga Building” public housing design project aims to contend with the housing problem among low-income people through an architectural perspective –to break the uniformity and to mitigate the imbalance in social resources allocation.
Mr. Chan’s Cabinet
“How do you think of the environment where you are living?” I asked,
“Just as you see, small enough. We have no choices.” Replied Mr. Chan, with helplessness in his eyes.
“ What do you live on without working?”
“ I’m receiving subsidy from Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, about 3700 HKD (660 AUD) per month.”
“Around 1300 HKD (232 AUD) for renting apartment each month, can you meet your need for food with the rest of 2400 HKD (428 AUD)?”
“Obviously no, but I’m just muddling along with no thought for tomorrow.” He smiled bitterly.
Mr.Chan has no jobs, living in cubicle apartment which is 30 square feet (2.78square meter). He describes himself as a document, who can only stay in the cabinet forever.
Mr.Lin’s plan for buying a house
“Sometimes you work for a second job?”
“Yes I have to, 7000 HKD (1250 AUD) per month for each job, I’m able to earn more with a second job.” Mr. Lin answered.
“Do you want to buy your own house, or rent the public housing?”
“Public housing is the best choice, but we are not able to apply for it.”
Mr. Lin’s family is not eligible to live in public housing, according to the Income and Total Net Asset Upper Limits. They are pushed to buy a house, for this objective Mr. Lin has to work for two jobs. However, if he gives up part of the family income to meet the requirement for applying the public housing, he is not able to support the whole family with the slender salary.