In the bustling city of Hong Kong, where skyscrapers reach for the sky and the vibrant energy of financial prowess fills the air, a hidden crisis reveals a troubling divide. Over 200,000 residents are forced to dwell in squalid conditions often described as ‘coffin flats,’ highlighting the alarming levels of housing inequality that persist amid luxury.

One Apartment, Multiple Families: The New Norm

In this densely populated metropolis, space is a luxury. It's common for a single apartment to be shared by multiple families, often sharing a single toilet and kitchen. This stark reality paints a grim picture of urban life in a city that's been ranked as the most expensive in the world for an astonishing 14 consecutive years.

One such tenant is 60-year-old Xiao Bo, who resides in a cramped subdivided mini-apartment. "It's so small here; it's really inconvenient to live in," she lamented while enjoying her homemade dumplings at a makeshift folding table, her bed occupying much of the limited space. For Xiao, the lack of affordable housing options means remaining in these crowded quarters for three long years.

The Struggle for Breath and Privacy

Living conditions are dire; the average space for these residents is merely 6 square meters (about 65 square feet), significantly smaller than a standard parking space. For some, like 65-year-old retired construction worker Kwok Kwai, the situation is even worse. Kwok has endured 15 years in a “coffin home,” a barely larger-than-a-bed space that he rents for about €330 ($341). With no fresh air and frequent rodent intrusions, he faces a daily battle for comfort: “It’s unbearable,” Kwok explained, choosing to leave his sliding door open for ventilation, sacrificing his privacy in the process.

A Cry for Help from the Elderly

Seventy-six-year-old Wong Chi-kong lives in a mere 4 square meters for around €360. After a stroke and facing surging rents, he found himself relying on social welfare. He spends his days at tea houses and libraries, biding his time while he waits to secure public housing: “You have to endure it,” he stated candidly. His hopeful eyes reflect the plight of many elderly Hong Kong residents caught in this web of despair.

The Hidden Scandal of ‘Coffin Apartments’

Located primarily in the bustling district of Mong Kok, these “coffin apartments” are a bitter reminder of a city that prides itself on economic achievement yet fails to provide basic housing for its most vulnerable citizens. Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organization, has condemned the existence of these living arrangements as the “shame of Hong Kong”.

Government Action or Empty Promises?

In a bid to tackle this humanitarian crisis, the Hong Kong government has proposed new laws to establish minimum standards for living space and safety in subdivided apartments. Officials aim to phase out all such living arrangements by 2049 while also pledging to reduce the waiting time for public housing from a staggering 5.5 years. Furthermore, the construction of subsidized apartments is set to progress, yet many residents remain skeptical about the efficacy of these promises.

As the city strives to grapple with its housing crisis, the struggle of its low-income residents remains a poignant reminder of the inequality that taints its economic success. Are the proposed changes enough to turn the tide, or is this just another chapter in Hong Kong’s ongoing saga of disparity?

Stay tuned for ongoing updates as we uncover the truths that lie behind the glamorous facade of Hong Kong’s skyline!