Hong Kong does not lack land for housing, just the will to use it

The Hong Kong government is at it again, throwing one big smoke screen on the cause of high housing prices – land shortage! There is no land shortage, only a shortage of willingness to start building and converting land use for this purpose.

First, the developers have large land banks and must be forced to start developing or risk losing the land without compensation.

Second, utilise brownfield areas. Nobody needs those (illegal) dumpsites in the New Territories.

Third, village houses. If we do not want to take away the “small house” right, then strictly enforce the rules with slight adjustments. Any male villager who turns 18 and can prove that he has lived in Hong Kong all along is entitled to a 700 sq ft plot. The house built on it is for him and his family to live in, it is not allowed to be sold or rented out. If he moves or dies, the plot is to be returned to the village so it can be reallocated.