Hong Kong’s Housing Dream: A New Playbook Under the National Security Law
On a bright October morning, Carrie Lam, the city’s chief policy‑chef, rolled out a bold new plan that promises to finally tackle Hong Kong’s age‑old quest for decent, affordable homes. The move comes hot‑on‑the‑nose after last year’s National Security legislation, which many say has given the city a fresh lease of confidence.
What’s in the Blueprint?
The centerpiece? A sprawling “Northern Metropolis” that will sit right along the border with Shenzhen, covering an impressive 300 sq km. Once finished, it will house:
- ~926,000 new homes (more than half brand‑new)
- 2.5 million residents – enough to turn the whole area into a bustling micro‑city
- Half a million jobs, turning the zone into an innovation & tech hub
Lam’s confidence? “It’s the most important area that lets us knit Hong Kong tighter to the GBA and Shenzhen.”
Why It Matters
Hong Kong’s 7.5 million people have long screamed for affordable housing. The new plan aims to add a whopping one million units over the next 20‑25 years – a 34 % jump over the current supply of 2.94 million units.
Building on Land, and… Artificial Islands
Besides the Northern Metropolis, the city is also eyeing big-scale land reclamations: up to 400,000 units on 1,700 ha of artificial islands. The cost? Roughly HK$624 billion (US$80.5 billion) – the most expensive infrastructure project ever.
Law‑And‑Housing: A Make‑over?
While critics argue the National Security Law censors freedoms promised under “one country, two systems,” city officials see it as a safety net that lets them move forward unhindered. Lam’s optimistic spin: “The law and the new electoral tweaks have brought stability. We’re ready to restart economic growth.”
Bottom Line
It’s a bold mix of policy, politics, and massive construction. If the Orange‑Themed city can successfully build out the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong might finally banish the “no‑where‑to‑live” blues and become a living, breathing network of homes, jobs, and innovation.
‘Gross interference’
Hong Kong’s Housing Hurdle: Lam’s Take‑Away Tale
What the New Chief Executive Dropped (or Didn’t Drop)
Associate head Eddie Hui from the Polytechnic University’s Building and Real Estate Department gave a quick rundown: Carrie Lam didn’t serve up many short‑term fixes for the housing crunch, and her proposed new units fell short of expectations.
“Maybe it’s Lam’s last address, so she held back on quick‑fixes. I wish the next chief would lay everything out with a dash of detail,” Hui shrugged.
Beijing’s Big‑Brother Check‑In
Luo Huining, the head of Beijing’s Hong Kong office, popped by a few cramped flats and the notorious “cage homes.” Those wire‑mesh bunkers stacked like a greedy tower of pancakes are a stark reminder that property means everything in the city.
His office said his “heart sank” at the sight of the stinginess and warned that the property sector has become the city’s main lifeline.
Home Prices that Hit the Sky
Even though all leaders since 1997 have put making housing affordable on their to-do lists, owning a home still feels more like fairy tale than reality for many.
In July, private home prices reached a record high thanks to limited supply and a tidal wave of mainland buyers. Reuters wrote last month that Beijing has been nudging local tycoons to use their resources and clout to tackle the shortage.
Waiting for a Piece of the Pie
On average, applicants queue for over 5.5 years to land a public housing unit—longer than many born in the 1960s had to wait for a next‑generation iPhone.
Old rural towns halfway up the clock also saw prices shoot up, because mainland parents are lining up to send their kids into Hong Kong’s schools.
Lam’s Tear‑Drop Speech
At the end, Lam clutched her emotional center, thanking Beijing, her family, and the community for their unwavering support during the “unprecedented pressure” since 2019, which included protests and “incessant and gross interference … by external forces.”
She promised to keep standing by Hong Kong’s people, and with a tear‑dripped grin, she closed out her address.
