Living conditions in Hong Kong’s poorest district have got worse in last four years ago

Living conditions for grass-roots families in Hong Kong’s poorest district have worsened compared with four years ago despite government efforts to alleviate poverty, a survey has found.

Residents living in Sham Shui Po in Kowloon were more stressed, inhabiting more cramped conditions and forking out more for ever-increasing rents than in 2012, according to survey results from the city’s Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).

The group surveyed 430 residents living in subdivided flats, private homes and public housing in the district from last November to December last year.

It found that, compared with four years ago, residents there were more stressed about livelihood issues such as high rents, inadequate health care services and costly living expenses.

Residents ranked an average of 11.5 items on their so-called stress list last year, compared with 9.6 items in 2012.

Costly food expenses, personal health and expensive rents were ranked as the top three concerns.