12 votes

Inside Hong Kong's cage homes

8 comments

  1. [6]
    39hp
    Link
    Posted this link in a thread elsewhere, but I think it merits its own discussion because of how acutely dystopian the situation is. What happens when mercenary government policy and extreme wealth...

    Posted this link in a thread elsewhere, but I think it merits its own discussion because of how acutely dystopian the situation is.

    What happens when mercenary government policy and extreme wealth fall upon the housing market? What happens to the people when it has been made structurally impossible to find somewhere to live?

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      Catt
      Link Parent
      These make me so sad. Hong Kong is honestly really terrible with the disparity there. They are definitely one of the more extreme cases, but there is real reason to fear that happening in other...

      These make me so sad. Hong Kong is honestly really terrible with the disparity there. They are definitely one of the more extreme cases, but there is real reason to fear that happening in other places, like Canada, too.

      Not sure where I stand on affordable housing in regards to specifics about ownership, such as is rent control that ensures people can live in a reasonable space with security enough, or should everyone be given the opportunity to own. However, there's definitely something wrong when people are literally in cages.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        39hp
        Link Parent
        Given the rate of housing cost increases, I wouldn't be surprised to see this happening in more cities, especially those that actually have little undeveloped land. It's starting to happen already...

        Given the rate of housing cost increases, I wouldn't be surprised to see this happening in more cities, especially those that actually have little undeveloped land. It's starting to happen already in San Francisco and being spun as an innovation (maybe other people have had different experiences, but I hated every single second I spent in a dorm).

        Whether its more housing or better public transit so people can diffuse out, cities need to do more to prevent people from having to live in increasingly inhumane spaces.

        4 votes
        1. Catt
          Link Parent
          For the sake of being more environmentay friendly, I generally do support the idea of smaller homes, and greater use of shared spaces. I'm personally not a fan of the new trend of micro...

          For the sake of being more environmentay friendly, I generally do support the idea of smaller homes, and greater use of shared spaces. I'm personally not a fan of the new trend of micro apartments, but if people want them, I think they should be allowed. However, there's definitely a lower boundary. As mentioned in the video, as cool and innovative as capsules are, and your example of the dorms (which are still insanely priced) that is definitely not what anyone should be reduced to as their permanent home.

    2. [2]
      Deimos
      Link Parent
      It's from about a year ago now, but I thought this was quite a good article about Hong Kong and some of the issues contributing to the situation (with some beautiful photos accompanying it):...

      It's from about a year ago now, but I thought this was quite a good article about Hong Kong and some of the issues contributing to the situation (with some beautiful photos accompanying it): https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/29/world/asia/hong-kong-china-handover.html

      3 votes
      1. 39hp
        Link Parent
        Even as a kid visiting family in Hong Kong I knew overcrowding was a big problem. I never imagined it would lead to anything like this. I thought for sure, no government would allow people to live...

        Even as a kid visiting family in Hong Kong I knew overcrowding was a big problem. I never imagined it would lead to anything like this. I thought for sure, no government would allow people to live in cages.

        1 vote
  2. [2]
    RapidEyeMovement
    Link
    External Perspective: Bad government policy chokes the ability for new housing to be created making a storage of living space which then causes the prices of housing to skyrocket.

    External Perspective: Bad government policy chokes the ability for new housing to be created making a storage of living space which then causes the prices of housing to skyrocket.

    1 vote
    1. 39hp
      Link Parent
      Not sure how much of that is an External Perspective as that’s pretty much what the video argues is happening. The government is unwilling to raise taxes and so it increasingly leans on land...

      Not sure how much of that is an External Perspective as that’s pretty much what the video argues is happening. The government is unwilling to raise taxes and so it increasingly leans on land leases to pay for its expenses. They create an artificial shortage that can only be afforded by the most wealthy of investors etc etc.

      3 votes