Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3081316/what-use-hong-kong-coronavirus-relief-when-rents-are-killer Letters
What use is Hong Kong coronavirus relief when rents are a killer?
Members of the Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People’s Livelihood call for free rent for public housing and retail stores, and reduced parking fees amid the coronavirus outbreak, outside the Housing Authority headquarters in Ho Man Tin on April 21. Photo: Felix Wong
I refer to Peter Kammerer’s article: “Where are Hong Kong’s billionaires when the city needs them most?” (April 7).
When Covid-19 first appeared in Hong Kong, the price of necessary items such as face masks and hand sanitisers became very high. The things we were normally able to buy for below HK$50-100 (US$6.50-13) were being sold at more than HK$300-500. How some shop owners took advantage of the supply crunch was shocking, and showed just how selfish some can be, even when it can be a matter of life and death.
Soon after, the government announced a HK$10,000 handout to every Hong Kong resident, but we all knew it would be a bit of a wait. Then, slowly the number of Covid-19 cases started rising, the economic situation worsened, and many lost their jobs and fell into financial difficulty. Many restaurants and bars have closed and others are hanging on by a thread.
The government has announced subsidies ranging from HK$80,000 to HK$200,000 each for eligible food licence holders. But this is of little help, given the high rents.
My friend has a small fast food shop in Jordan, on the ground floor, with two sections: the seating section costs HK$28,000 a month to rent, the food preparation section HK$26,000. There is also a storage room rented for HK$12,000. The total rent every month is HK$66,000. When he asked for a rent cut, at first the landlord did not respond, and then offered a paltry cut of not even 5 per cent.
I live in Jordan with my father, who is now unemployed, and rent our home for HK$7,500 a month. Given our difficult situation, I asked the letting agency for a rent reduction just for a few months, but the response was: “Sorry, landlord say [the rent is already] very low, cannot discount.”
We know the government has been helping in several ways. However, I would like to know what the government can do to help reduce our rents? If we cannot afford to pay, we will soon be out in the streets.
Rajena Limbu, Jordan