Shek Kip Mei Estate

Shek Kip Mei Estate is the first public housing estate in Hong Kong. It is located in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, and is under the management of the Hong Kong Housing Authority. As of 2021, the estate comprises 21 residential blocks containing approximately 10,800 rental flats with an authorised capacity of 26,400 residents.

Background and Origin

Following the Second World War, a large number of migrants from mainland China arrived in Hong Kong and settled in illegal wooden shanties on a hillside in the Shek Kip Mei area. On 24 December 1953, a fire broke out in the shanty town. The blaze lasted approximately six hours and was brought under control in the early hours of 25 December. It left an estimated 53,000 people homeless.

In response, the colonial government constructed a 29-block resettlement estate on the fire site to house the victims. Eight blocks (originally designated Blocks A to H, later renumbered as Blocks 10–13 and 35–41) were built with financial aid from the United Nations. These seven-storey blocks were constructed in an "H" configuration, consisting of two residential wings connected by a central core containing communal cooking and sanitary facilities. Residential units measured approximately 100 square feet (9.3 m²) and housed entire families. The Shek Kip Mei fire is widely regarded as the catalyst that formally launched Hong Kong's public housing policy.

Development and Redevelopment

In 1961, the estate was subdivided into "Upper" (low-rent) and "Lower" (resettlement) sections. By 1973, when the Housing Authority was established, eleven old blocks had been demolished and modernisation of 18 blocks had commenced. Phased re-occupation of the renumbered estate took place between 1978 and 1984, after which the distinction between Upper and Lower estates was discontinued.

Further redevelopment occurred in phases. Mei Yu House and Mei Ying House, built on the site of former Blocks 1 to 7, were occupied in July 2006. Additional blocks (Mei Leong, Mei Sang, Mei Shing, Mei Wui, Mei Yick, Mei Yin, Mei Kwai, Mei Cheong, Mei Hei, and Mei Pak Houses) were completed between 2012 and 2019.

Conservation

Block 41, known as Mei Ho House, is the last remaining example of the Mark I single-block configuration. It was listed as a Grade I historic building and, under the Hong Kong Government's Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, was adapted for use as a youth hostel operated by the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association. The hostel opened in December 2013 and includes a museum documenting the history of Hong Kong's public housing development.

Blocks

The estate's current blocks include:

The estate also contains the Shek Kip Mei Public Library, operated by Hong Kong Public Libraries, housed in the estate's Ancillary Facilities Block.