The final few residents of Hong Kong’s only privately-owned low-rental housing estate have been moving out of their homes to make way for its redevelopment, with Friday the deadline for their eviction. Tai Hang Sai Estate was built in 1965 and 1977 to rehouse people affected by the clearance of the Tai Hang Sai Resettlement Area, and offered over 1,600 units at below market value.
Although Tai Hang Sai Estate’s redevelopment was discussed in the Legislative Council as early as 2011, it was not until last June that tenants were given an eviction notice, informing them that they would need to leave their homes by March 15th, 2024. The Hong Kong Settlers Housing Corporation, which manages the estate, offered rental subsidies and relocation assistance to households eligible to move back after the site was redeveloped.
However, some residents protested against what they called an “unfair and improper” relocation plan, with many of the estate’s elderly residents saying they lacked the proof of income necessary for most private rentals.