Cracking Down on Illegal Subdivided Units in Industrial Buildings A policy Delphi study in Hong Kong

The lack of land and housing supply has resulted in shortage of affordable housing in Hong Kong. Low-incomers, new immigrants and many others cannot afford high rents so they seek accommodations in the informal sector. This surging demand for informal housing is conducive to the proliferation of illegal subdivided units (ISUs) in industrial buildings in the city. The ISUs have posed serious safety threats to the building occupants. This study aims to explore workable policy options to crack down on the problem of ISUs in industrial buildings in Hong Kong. A three-round policy Delphi study is carried out with an expert panel to identify and prioritize policy options for combating the problem. Different measures ranging from increasing the frequency of building inspections and imposing heavier penalties on non-conforming owners to revitalizing industrial premises for domestic uses are proposed by the panel members. Among these options, stricter enforcement is considered the most workable option in terms of desirability and feasibility. The results of the policy Delphi study are discussed and policy recommendations are made.