Almost two-thirds of the so-called "N-nothings" – low-income people not receiving any government assistance – live in cramped spaces about the size of a standard Hong Kong bathroom, a survey has indicated.
The Salvation Army, which conducted the poll, called for establishment of a poverty line to identify those in need.
Sixty per cent of the 200 N-nothings interviewed about their housing said they lived in less than 60 square feet.
More than a quarter this group said they lived on less money, after paying rent, than someone on the dole; 87 per cent said their biggest hope was to move into public housing within three years.
As well as calling for establishment of a poverty line – now being worked on by the newly revived Commission on Poverty – the Salvation Army called for long-term welfare planning to help this group of people move out of poverty.
Commission on Poverty member Law Chi-kwong said the definition of N-nothing was quite vague.