Intricacies of housing choice in Hong Kong – qualitative study from user-oriented perspective and policy implications

This study examines the intricacies of choice on the basis of the housing context in Hong Kong. It examines what is the integral nature of housing choice, outlining perspectives and reflections in relation to the inherent nature of housing choice in general and in Hong Kong housing context in particular. This research adopts an interview-based qualitative research approach to explore and reflect on the nature and complexities of housing choice. The perspectives about the nature of housing choice built on this qualitative study are the economic nature of housing choice, double-barrel nature of choice in relation to home ownership and trade-off nature of housing choice. Policy implications of such perspectives include planning for mixed neighbourhood development, putting more emphasis on “choice” within social housing, adopting a neutral policy towards homeownership and renting, planning for the provision of housing of diverse characteristics to allow “real” housing choice. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.