Hongkongers protest against Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s Lantau Island reclamation proposals. Photo: Edmond So
Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2174531/why-hong-kong-housing-crisis-cant-be-just-laid-carrie-lams-door Letters
Why Hong Kong housing crisis can’t be just laid at Carrie Lam’s door
Lion Rock, said to symbolise Hong Kong’s “can do” spirit, stands tall behind a public housing estate in Wong Tai Sin. Photo: Sam Tsang
Referring to Peter Kammerer’s article, “Why city’s spirit has gone from roar to whimper” (November 20), I understand one of the major grievances facing us now in Hong Kong is the housing shortage. However, while the current housing situation in Hong Kong is far from perfect, this problem is not entirely unique to Hong Kong. Almost all major developed cities in the world are facing the same.
One should look at all the factors contributing to this crisis: cheap money due to near-zero interest rates for years, mismanagement of land supply by the government, changes in people’s family units, increasing expectations to own a home, and so on. We should try to understand the complexity behind this major discontent instead of just finding a scapegoat for it, currently the government led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
It’s always easy and convenient to put all the blame on the government. Constantly criticising and opposing the government in every way without offering any workable solutions is not helping society to move forward. It will only create more division and animosity among us.
In my opinion, tearing down your own home to search for a better life is neither sensible nor wise. Only by working together towards a harmonious, more tolerant and cooperative society can we reclaim our “can do” spirit.
Cecilia Clinch, MacDonnell Road