Will mixed-use buildings for Hong Kong starter homes create rich-poor resident divide?
More stakeholder discussion suggested to avoid London trend of ‘doors for the poor’ in shared housing estates
This would mean the scheme may use land slated for private development. Developers said they were willing to cooperate to help first-time home buyers, the target group of starter homes.
The developers floated ideas of public-private projects, with industry analysts suggesting that these buildings could contain a certain proportion of affordably priced rental flats in exchange for government concessions.
Will Hong Kong’s Starter Homes scheme help young families get on property ladder or fatten the pockets of developers?
The concept has been applied overseas. In New York, private developers provide affordable housing in exchange for tax breaks, but they are free to build different entrances to separate tenants who pay the market rate from those who don’t.