When a Real Estate Agency Has a Social Mind …

Change Making  ・  Vulnerable Groups
8 December 2023

When a Real Estate Agency Has a Social Mind …

ComHome Social Housing Platform, Hong Kong

After months of flat search, Lee’s family finally settled last year in a tiny flat that they could barely afford. This flat is located in an unfamiliar neighborhood. It took his family quite a while to connect with new neighbors and identify available community services. One day, out of the blue, Lee received a notice of substantial rent increase from his landlord. The flat has now become too expensive to rent. The family needs to move out and start the flat-search exercise again in one month. These hassles are what many low-income households have experienced when seeking shelters in Hong Kong.

Sharing common goals to improve low-income dwellers’ rental experiences, ZeShan Foundation joined hands with ComHome Social Housing Platform (“ComHome”) in 2022, to pilot the development of a more socially responsible real estate agency model serving underprivileged families in Hong Kong.

In February 2023, ComHome set up a new real estate agency as a one-stop stop, operating like a social enterprise, to facilitate prospective tenants’ search for socially-conscious landlords, as well as more economical home maintenance and social services. The team comprises some rare social workers with estate agent’s licences.

Through this 15-month pilot project, ZeShan hopes to see more grassroot families having better and affordable housing experiences, and more importantly to understand the possibility of using market-based solutions in tackling deeply-rooted housing challenges in Hong Kong.

Alexa Li
Assistant Program Manager
ZeShan Foundation

Knowledge sharing about tenancy rights for grassroot communities at different NGOs
Assessing tenants’ housing needs and providing support through regular home visits
Flat matching service, tenancy support and professional advice for grassroot tenants
Regular roadshow stations for outreach

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Knowledge sharing about tenancy rights for grassroot communities at different NGOs
Assessing tenants’ housing needs and providing support through regular home visits
Flat matching service, tenancy support and professional advice for grassroot tenants
Regular roadshow stations for outreach

PlayPause
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
 

After months of flat search, Lee’s family finally settled last year in a tiny flat that they could barely afford. This flat is located in an unfamiliar neighborhood. It took his family quite a while to connect with new neighbors and identify available community services. One day, out of the blue, Lee received a notice of substantial rent increase from his landlord. The flat has now become too expensive to rent. The family needs to move out and start the flat-search exercise again in one month. These hassles are what many low-income households have experienced when seeking shelters in Hong Kong.

Sharing common goals to improve low-income dwellers’ rental experiences, ZeShan Foundation joined hands with ComHome Social Housing Platform (“ComHome”) in 2022, to pilot the development of a more socially responsible real estate agency model serving underprivileged families in Hong Kong.

In February 2023, ComHome set up a new real estate agency as a one-stop stop, operating like a social enterprise, to facilitate prospective tenants’ search for socially-conscious landlords, as well as more economical home maintenance and social services. The team comprises some rare social workers with estate agent’s licences.

Through this 15-month pilot project, ZeShan hopes to see more grassroot families having better and affordable housing experiences, and more importantly to understand the possibility of using market-based solutions in tackling deeply-rooted housing challenges in Hong Kong.

Alexa Li
Assistant Program Manager
ZeShan Foundation

Related Links

Website:

Comhome Social Realty
(Chinese version only)

Facebook Page:

ComHome Social Realty Facebook (Chinese Only)

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