Housing Governance and Ethopolitics in a Postcolonial City: Constructing Responsible Community and Consumer Identity in Hong Kong

Abstract

Recent developments in housing governance in postcolonial Hong Kong, including the reduction of social housing provisions and a changing social organization of housing management, have been described as the end of a welfarist housing regime and the rise of an era marked by autonomy and responsibility. Examining a tenant participation institution (EMAC), this paper explores social housing management reflecting changes in technologies for governing the conduct of social tenants and owners. The ethopolitics of social housing is seen as being played out by the creation of new identities as consumers and responsible citizens. This paper focuses on examining the meanings and implications of such new governing technologies and institutions which shape the dynamic relationships among the housing authority, housing professionals, and resident representatives. It casts doubt on the results of this new politics of choice and self-governance and suggests that the current scenario means more about ‘government from a distance’ rather than ‘a reduction in government’.