Hong Kong’s tiny subdivided flats a big problem that needs urgent attention, but can city leader John Lee’s policy address come up with solutions?
- Bill Tang, chairman of Legco’s welfare panel, says government should offer more social services support to people in subdivided flats as they wait for proper housing
- Legco housing panel member Vincent Cheng appeals to government for five-year plan to eliminate shoebox homes altogether
Hong Kong woman Mimi Zhou* was faced with a huge problem when her three sons aged 11 to 15 left mainland China in July and came to live with her in a tiny 70 sq ft flat.
The small space in Tsuen Wan was crammed with the family’s belongings and could only fit a bunk bed, used by the two older brothers.
The 35-year-old mother and her youngest son had to sleep on yoga mats laid out on the narrow space between the bed and the cooking area.
“One slight move could wake them up when I was preparing food,” Zhou said.
Statistics published this year showed the city was home to about 108,200 subdivided flats in 2021 with an average size of 118 sq ft and rent per month of HK$5,000 (US$639), which swallowed up a third of the monthly income of tenants.
About 7,800 transitional homes, a government plan to help families waiting for public rental flats and those living in tiny subdivided spaces, have been built so far and another 13,200 are expected to be available by 2024.