从公屋到居屋，公共住房体系在香港为何如此重要？

Core Viewpoint - The public housing system in Hong Kong was established in response to social pressures arising from population growth, highlighting the need to balance residents' living requirements with real estate development [1][6]. Group 1: Overview of Hong Kong Housing - Hong Kong's housing can be categorized into public and private housing, with public housing including "public rental housing" and "Home Ownership Scheme" (HOS) units [4]. - The Macpherson Estate, a typical HOS community, consists of 8 buildings with 1,984 units, each with a usable area of 44-44.9 square meters, originally priced between HKD 116,000 and HKD 159,100 [3]. - As of the 2021 census, 36.6% of the residents in Macpherson Estate are aged 65 and above, indicating an aging population [3]. Group 2: Historical Context of Public Housing - The development of public housing in Hong Kong began in the aftermath of significant fires in the 1950s that displaced thousands, leading to the establishment of emergency housing solutions [6][7]. - The formal creation of a systematic public housing program occurred during the tenure of Governor Murray MacLehose (1971-1982), who prioritized social welfare and initiated the "Ten-Year Housing Program" [7]. - The historical context of public housing reflects the broader socio-economic challenges faced by Hong Kong, including rapid population growth and the need for adequate housing solutions [6][7]. Group 3: Private Housing Landscape - Over 55% of Hong Kong residents live in various types of private housing, which includes market-driven developments that cater to the elite, as well as older buildings like "Tong Lau" and "Western-style buildings" [5]. - The private housing market is characterized by high prices and rapid increases in rent and sale prices, making it one of the most expensive housing markets globally [5]. Group 4: Future Considerations - The ongoing challenge for Hong Kong is to alleviate the housing pressure on young people, who often face long waiting times for public housing, sometimes up to 10-20 years [8]. - Recent initiatives to develop new towns along the Shenzhen River aim to facilitate cross-border living and working opportunities, which may help address housing shortages in Hong Kong [8].