Man evicted from decades-old illegal home in To Kwa Wan

Buildings officials yesterday evicted a resident from an unauthorised structure in To Kwa Wan where he had been living for years.

The house sits on government land alongside about six other houses and shops - including a florist's and a hotpot stall - all built mainly from wooden planks and metal sheets next to Kiu Yu Mansion on Lok Shan Road.

The other residents and shop owners are expected to be evicted in due course. The Buildings Department obtained a closure order for the illegal structures from the courts in November.

The 31-year-old resident who was evicted yesterday noted that senior government officials also had illegal structures in their homes but could get off lightly.

"We end up having our homes destroyed while they face no consequences," said the man, surnamed Ho.

Ahead of the arrival of about 20 officers from the department and police at 10am, Ho tried to block the entrance to his residence by putting various items outside and weaving a net of nylon string across the stairs.