Opinion | Any Hong Kong housing solution must also serve ethnic minorities
- The shortage of affordable housing is a citywide problem, but it affects some ethnic minority communities more
- Raising awareness of racial bias is essential. So is ensuring liveability and building communities
09:34
Indians born and bred in Hong Kong explain why the city will always be home
While the lack of affordable housing is a citywide issue, some pockets of the population may face further difficulties. Though measures are in place to help low-income groups in general, disadvantaged ethnic minority communities are not necessarily a focus. World Habitat Day falls on October 2, and now is a good time to try and gain a deeper understanding of this demographic and the obstacles they face.
Among South Asians, certain communities fare worse than others – for example, nearly 28 per cent of Nepalese in Hong Kong lived in subdivided units while the number of Pakistanis living in these quarters grew by 47 per cent from 2016 to 2021.
01:53
Hong Kong minorities tell of housing discrimination
At the Equal Opportunities Commission, we also receive reports of landlords rejecting ethnic minority tenants, or charging them more, or giving them poorer choices. It is important to remember that, under the Race Discrimination Ordinance, it is illegal to refuse to rent properties or provide inferior rental services based on the race of prospective tenants.
