Social sustainability of affordable housing : a comparative analysis of public rental housing and transitional housing through the lens of resident perspectives

Abstract

The Social Sustainability (SS) of Affordable Housing (AH) is increasingly significant, particularly in Hong Kong, where an affordability crisis disproportionately affects low-income and marginalized groups. This study focuses on Public Rental Housing (PRH) and Transitional Housing (TH) due to their differences in design, scale, and implementation. The government’s revision of the public-private split for new housing supply from 60:40 to 70:30 in 2018 underscores the growing emphasis on public housing development. Despite these efforts, mental health issues remain more prevalent among public housing residents. This study aims to evaluate the SS performance of these housing types through a comprehensive assessment framework. The final assessment framework comprises 12 Social Sustainability Performance (SSP) criteria, 22 factors, and 39 indicators, after the elimination of 7 indicators from earlier versions. The framework is developed using an extensive literature review, expert interviews, and questionnaire surveys. The questionnaire results are analysed to assess the significance and importance of each indicator in relation to the SSP. Additionally, a comparative analysis of PRH and TH is conducted to identify key differences and areas for improvement in SS. The results of the study highlight significant differences between PRH and TH across several SSPs, such as location affordability, immediate environment, and sense of place. PRH demonstrates advantages in accessibility to essential services, job opportunities, and unique design features, while TH excels in fostering community engagement through NGO-led activities. Actionable recommendations for improving each SSP are proposed based on the interview findings and the identified significance levels of the indicators. Solutions are provided for all 12 SSPs, addressing a wide range of aspects under the 4 dimensions of SS, including the quality of housing and living environment, equitable housing distribution and consumption, social precondition for ecological sustainability and harmonious social relations. By offering a robust framework for evaluating and enhancing SS in AH, this research provides actionable insights for policymakers, housing authorities and even developers to create more sustainable and equitable housing strategies. The findings contribute to the long-term improvement of AH systems and the promotion of SS in Hong Kong.