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The Thematic Household Survey Report No. 60 is published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (March 17).
This publication contains findings of the "Thematic Household Survey on Housing Conditions in 2015" conducted during May to September 2015. The major objective of the survey was to estimate the total number of sub-divided units (SDUs) in private domestic/composite buildings (excluding village houses) aged 25 and above (i.e. built on or before December 31, 1990) in Hong Kong and the total number of households living in these SDUs. Information related to the housing conditions of these SDUs was also collected in the survey.
"SDUs" under this survey refer to units formed by sub-division of individual quarters into two or more units for rental purposes to more than one household.
The survey results showed that there were some 25 200 quarters with SDUs in private domestic/composite buildings (excluding village houses) aged 25 and above at the time of enumeration, accounting for 3.8% of all quarters in those buildings. The total number of SDUs in those quarters was estimated to be some 88 800. On average, each unit of quarters with SDUs was sub-divided into 3.5 SDUs.
At the time of enumeration, those SDUs accommodated some 87 600 households (Note) and 199 900 persons altogether. The median household size was 2.0 persons.
The average area of SDUs per capita was 5.8 square metres. For the households living in SDUs, their median monthly rental payment was $4,200, while their median rent to income ratio was 32.3%.
The proportions of those 87 600 households living in SDUs which had independent electricity meter, fresh water supply or independent toilet in their units were 96.2%, 93.6% and 91.1% respectively. Another 87.7% of the households had windows which could be opened and were outside the quarters when opened, and 63.1% had independent kitchen/cooking area within the units.
61.6% of households living in SDUs cited "more affordable rent (as compared with that of a whole unit of private quarters)" as the reason for living in SDUs at the time of enumeration. Another 36.3% cited "convenient to go to work/school" as the reason.
The survey also gauged the views of households living in SDUs on the living environment of the units. The results showed that 43.8% of the households considered the living environment of the units as average, 38.1% were dissatisfied/very dissatisfied and the remaining 18.1% were very satisfied/satisfied.
Similar survey related to the housing conditions of SDUs in Hong Kong was conducted during June to November 2014 in the Thematic Household Survey series. The 2014 survey also covered private domestic/composite buildings (excluding village houses) aged 25 and above (i.e. built on or before December 31, 1989) in Hong Kong. In other words, the buildings covered in the 2014 survey differed slightly from that conducted in 2015. The differences are mainly seen in the exclusion of the buildings built in 1990 and the inclusion of the buildings demolished in 2015 in the 2014 survey. In terms of figures, the 2015 survey covered some 664 300 quarters, whereas the 2014 survey covered some 637 300 quarters. Care should be taken in comparing the findings between the two surveys. In particular, direct comparison on the number of SDUs estimated from the two surveys is subject to the above limitation arising from the difference in the coverage of the target buildings.
On the other hand, if data users wish to understand whether the prevalence of SDUs had changed in 2015 (i.e. change in their number in proportion to all quarters in Hong Kong), they should make reference to two indicators, namely, the percentage of quarters with SDUs among all quarters and the average number of SDUs per unit of quarters having SDUs. The two indicators in 2014 were 3.9% and 3.5 respectively, similar to those in 2015. This showed that the prevalence of SDUs remained broadly the same in the two years.
More detailed findings of the 2015 survey together with the survey methodology are presented in the Thematic Household Survey Report No. 60. Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp140.jsp?productCode=B1130201).
Enquiries about the contents of the publication can be made to the Social Surveys Section (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 0592 or email: thematic@censtatd.gov.hk).
Note: The Transport and Housing Bureau had incorporated the estimated total number of households living in SDUs in last year's long term housing demand projection and had reported the figure in the Long Term Housing Strategy - Annual Progress Report 2015 released on December 18, 2015.
Ends/Thursday, March 17, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:35
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