Lam Ka-man has only one wish for the Lunar New Year - a shelter he can afford when the government forces him out of his current home.
After a nine-year wait for public housing, the 35-year-old labourer is living in a 45 sq ft cubicle in a dilapidated industrial building in Larch Street, Tai Kok Tsui, which he shares with girlfriend, Lee Siu-yee, 38.
He has been there for four months but, along with 60 other families, the couple have been ordered to move out of the factory despite growing protests.
A Buildings Department spokesman said the government would offer appropriate rehousing and social assistance to the affected tenants, but those who had applied for public housing would not be given priority .
Lam has lived in various subdivided flats in different districts, but has had to move due to rent increases. 'This is the most ideal place I can afford. Given my current financial situation, it is very good,' he said of the flat, which contains just a bunk bed, two tables and a television set with a DVD player.
He pays HK$1,300 a month for the cubicle, and has been looking for other flats since he was told to leave last month. But the cheapest on offer would cost more than HK$2,000 a month, excluding commission and administration fees for property agents. With his income from the short-term work he picks up uncertain, Lam said he could not afford to pay any more.
The couple sleep and watch television on the lower bunk while the upper bunk is used for storage. They share two toilets and one shower with the occupants of more than 10 other flats on the floor; there is no kitchen.