In brief
As Hong Kong's administration enforces minimum living standards, families like Liu Lanhua's face uncertain futures.
In Hong Kong's bustling Kwun Tong district, Liu Lanhua lives with her 12-year-old daughter in a cramped subdivided apartment that reflects the city’s alarming income disparity. The small space, which doubles as both a kitchen and bathroom, is cluttered with colanders and hairbrushes hanging above a toilet while essential cooking utensils teeter precariously on water pipes. Liu’s living situation is emblematic of the struggles faced by over 220,000 residents residing in similar subdivided homes across the city.Recent policy announcements by Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, threaten to upend this precarious living arrangement. The government has proposed new regulations mandating minimum standards for the size and fixtures of subdivided apartments, potentially eliminating more than 30,000 of the smallest units. The changes appear to be in line with directives from Beijing, which has called for the eradication of such housing by 2049. This move is seen as a response to Hong Kong’s ongoing housing crisis, which some authorities link to the social unrest witnessed in 2019.Liu expressed her frustrations, noting, “If we had money, these would be in separate rooms,” gesturing toward the various overlapping functions of her space that also includes a basin for her pet turtles. Though her living quarters are humble, Liu’s family is not alone in facing an uncertain future as the government takes steps to address overcrowding and provide more sustainable housing solutions. As officials and families navigate this critical issue, the social fabric of Hong Kong may face further strain.
