In this paper, we are trying to imply the Social Exchange Theory to explain the housing arrangements given by the government. The Social Exchange theory, according to the explanation of Hooyman and Kiyak (1998), is about give and take. The Older persons will have to provide some merits to the society or the family in order to obtain the care they needed. In this essay, we are tying to explain that the older person contributed to the society during their young age and now it is time for the government to provide the benefits for them. This is the reason why the government is providing special housing arrangements the older persons in need.

Housing and Living Arrangements for Older People in Hong K

For those families who do not mind to live in New Territories and want to live with the older member in different units, they can apply for the Special Scheme for Families with Elderly Persons. Under this scheme, the older person and his/her family member will be allocated into two different unit of a same block of public housing located in New Territories. Moreover, under this scheme, the applicants can shorten their queuing time for two years. The family can living somewhere near the older member to provide the support need by the older person and on the other hand preserving their own lifestyle. Meanwhile, the risk of family dispute has been reduced since the older person and the family is located in different housing unit. However, some critics claims that this scheme has been abused by the public housing applicants and once they have been allocated for a housing unit, they will abandon the older person even they are living a couples of floors away.

For those who do not want to live with their offspring or do not have an offspring at all, they can live with their spouse or friends. In order to cater such demand, the government also provided three different special allocation systems for the older persons to apply. First of all, they can apply for the Elderly Persons Priority Scheme. This scheme can provide the older person with a housing unit within two years if the older person agrees to live in the New Territories. However, the older person must apply with spouse or friends to become eligible. This scheme can let the older persons to live together and look after each other. However, since the government and the community may not be able to provide too much support to the older person, in case of emergency the older person may not be able to receive immediate care or support. Moreover, if the older person is living with friends, fiercer dispute may happen due to lack of family tide.

Some topics in this essay:
Priority Scheme, Comments Conclusions, Elderly Scheme, Public Housings, Territories Moreover, Authority According, Hong Kong, HSC HSC, Hooyman Kiyak, Citizens HSC, public housing, housing arrangements, living arrangements, spouse friends, person able, arrangements persons, living spouse friends, elderly persons, person living, housing senior, senior citizens, living arrangements persons, housing senior citizens, social exchange theory, elderly persons priority,