HKFP Lens: The last days of Tai Hang Sai Estate, Hong Kong’s only privately-owned low-rental housing complex

Hong Kong Free Press

Built in 1965, Tai Hang Sai Estate to be vacated by March 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam

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 15 this year.

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.

Built in 1965, Tai Hang Sai Estate to be vacated by March 2024. (This Image was combined by two photos.) Photo: Kyle Lam — A composite image showing shirts with the character for “poor me,” and a full ash tray at Tai Hang Sai Estate, in March 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

One resident, who was in her 60s and had lived at Tai Hang Sai Estate for four decades, told HKFP last October: “It’s difficult for elderly residents to rent a place elsewhere, landlords are unlikely to lease to elderly people.”

The redevelopment plans to provide over 3,300 units, more than double the existing number, including 1,300 units to rehouse existing tenants and 2,000 units for Hongkongers to buy their first flats at a discounted price. It is slated for completion in 2029.