Scores of families living illegally in subdivided flats in Tai Kok Tsui's industrial buildings have been advised to move out for safety reasons by welfare officials.
The residents, who receive welfare and rental subsidies from the Social Welfare Department, said, however, that they could not afford to live elsewhere.
The department contacted about 20 families, and warned them against living in industrial buildings not approved for residential purposes.
'I used to live in Cheung Sha Wan, but the landlord raised the rent to HK$2,000,' said a middle-aged man who moved into one of the factory-converted flats in Tai Kok Tsui.
'And there was no way I could afford it. Low-incomers like me.'
'I'm worried about safety issues for sure, but it's all I can afford.'
Unionist lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung urged the government to increase rental subsidies for those living on social assistance, and to speed up the construction of public housing.