A glimpse inside Hong Kong’s notorious subdivided homes

Subscribe to our KZbin channel for free here:
sc.mp/subscribe-youtube
A former subdivided flat in Tai Kok Tsui has been turned into a so-called Trapped Experience Centre, an exhibition replicating Hong Kong’s notorious subdivided housing units. The rooms were modelled after real-life homes of subdivided-flat tenants. The centre also hires homeless people and subdivided flat residents as tour guides, to share their experiences of living in Hong Kong’s cubicle homes.
Support us:
subscribe.scmp.com
Follow us on:
Website: www.scmp.com
Facebook: / scmp
Twitter: / scmpnews
Instagram: / scmpnews
Linkedin: / south-china-morning-post
#scmp #SCMPOriginals #HongKonghousing

[@Luminousplayer]

making a room on top of a shared bathroom is borderline criminal

[@markdowse3572]

There's NOTHING "borderline" about it...

[@ceciLOVEtaco]

Do you know that Hong Kong ppl live in the public toilet ?? Reported on newspaper while I was in Hong Kong . One local public toilet got on fire and the reporter saw a family crying besides .After the reporter interviewed the family, found out they were living in the public toilet's storage room. So the fire made they lose their HOME. If you don't have rich parents ,don't get born in HK. Life is pure misery, probably whole the life will be locked inside a coffin. And you thk live inside a public toilet is the worst ??? Go chk Hong Kong's dog cage house. At this moment, estimated 230,000 ppl live in such cage rooms.

[@s5101984]

I couldn't get paid enough to live up there, better to live on the streets and use the money to buy food or something

[@markdowse3572]

@@s5101984 I've found clean garbage bins. They are better.

[@mmallick3224]

@@s5101984Life on streets isn't as simple as a cup of tea.

[@vivianledonghae4eify]

by looking at their living conditions, I start to appreciate my life right now.

[@ebonhawken574]

Same here, life in America is hard for everybody right now. But I am so thankful that we can afford a house and food. That’s all that really matters. That my family is safe and comfortable.

[@kaisasong1332]

@@ebonhawken574 this is what privlege is... anyone living in America is already more privilege than 90% of the world. If you are in America and live like them,you have only yourself to blame. Majority of people on the streets in America have drug problems, gambling problems or some sort of mental issue. Provety line in America is still far better than these living conditions. Americans don't know what true privilege is and its baffling

[@swirlybun9616]

Will definitely stopped complaining about my small bathroom (at least I don’t have to share it with 10+ other people).

[@EllaNonimato]

@@kaisasong1332 USA. America is a continent

[@jeannemillsom9300]

Me too, despite the trials and tribulations of a middle terraced house with one attached neurotic, narcissistic neighbour!

[@avahsieh4645]

The housing condition is abhorrent and unthinkable. My heart breaks for the elderly who has to struggle and suffer like this.

[@seiyachan]

its not just elderly... HK is top1 expensive housing in the world.... and top1 small.... you pay USD1Mil for a sub 20 sq meter "studio" flat (advertised as 30+ sq meter). the problem got worse since 2008 after QE infinity. and the gov just announced yesterday they consider lower the downpayment requirements for buying new home... now at just 10%... I don't know how much lower they want to make it, instead of letting home price adjust to a lower level.

[@terenceyuen4424]

Atleast they can coexist together in tough times. Social housing in Vancouver Canada is trashed by drug addicts who ruin the building for everyone🙄

[@Truthseeker371]

You haven't seen the slums in Africa and South America. These people are not homeless, at least. What can you expect from the highly economically divided place like Hong Kong? Nowadays Singapore's rent is as high as New York City's. Crazy economic system we are accepting.

[@nunosilva7505]

@hirokomorioka6562,”Africa” is a continent,” 5:03 South America,”a continent,which country in these???

[@marcuscheung5025]

If I had to live like that I'd go an hour north and just live in Shenzhen or the suburbs of Shenzhen instead

[@Spoopball]

This is literally breaking my heart. 7 families had to use one kitchen AND 1 bathroom.

[@zammmerjammer]

It is FIGURATIVELY breaking your heart. If it literally broke your heart, you would be dead.

[@emanuelkraus5950]

Pretty much like in London =))

[@arpadczyliwampir]

@@emanuelkraus5950 only it's not legal in London...

[@emanuelkraus5950]

@@arpadczyliwampir I knew a house of 5 rooms filled with 14-16 Hungarians and 2 Slovakians, 2 toilets and 1 kitchen 😂. Law is not respected in the UK.

[@missJolie85]

@@emanuelkraus5950ell of course criminals don’t respect the law, and what you described is not the norm. You are taking as if this is your everyday life with a big smile on your face. Also if you knew about this, you should have reported it. Refugees and immigrants don’t always know the law or their rights, but you seem to know.

[@SL-lz9jr]

I grew up in a single family dwelling in the US with my relatives. At its peak we shared our house with up to 11 people so in similar ways it felt like a subdivided flat. But there’s a huge difference. In a house with detached walls, there are windows everywhere and backyard space for fresh air. It was not fun sharing a bedroom with my 2 aunts and younger sister. It was not fun not having a living room or dining room (no common space to gather except in the kitchen), but it felt so spacious compared to these coffins. Those attic rooms really are coffins.

[@DZ-bz1ww]

Some ppl think this is only in HK. NYC and San Francisco Chinatown flats are exactly the same as this.

[@boobopish]

@@DZ-bz1ww I’ve lived in all those city’s, nothing beats HK with this kind of cruelty. It’s disgusting at best.

[@oddfellow1114]

HongKong is like here in Singapore, a tiny island with 6 million souls lives like sardines in a can, where else in nearby vast bountiful Australia in Asia-Pacific which is ten thousand times 10,000 bigger with a mere 27 million inhabitants. Similar situation in tiny and packed Japan, which is running out of space and land. Do you know that their living room and bedroom are the same place, and that most Japanese people sleep in their living room. - Colonialism & Colonization are evil things done and benefited by evildoers.

[@johnchoi4473]

@@DZ-bz1ww NYC is bad but doesnt compare to HK

[@tolitsp123]

@@oddfellow1114But the house is not the same as this. As a foreigner working for more than decades, I consider Singapore still has better house to leave.

[@tywakorn]

Putting aside judgmental comments...I really appreciate this recreation of the display unit, which gives so much insights and awareness...

[@myjams7180]

​​@@mattyd3079 6:42 it's about creating awareness to the issue

[@wangjim5839]

How many lawmakers and senior officials have actually visited an actual subdivided unit in the city so see and feel the situation? Perhaps none!

[@myjams7180]

@@mattyd3079 Well obviously not as he said barely any tenants post their rooms whether on social media or to news out of fear of being kicked out. It is a political issue and needs more attention and this non-profit museum ran by people who have lived through thst situation allows that and isn't hurting anybody.

[@mickfoley1413]

I doubt there was any recreation in these miserable living conditions.

[@FoNgThOnG]

That attic room above the toilet should be listed as a torture room.

[@tazboy1934]

Too much fatality in toilet ...how can one sleep?

[@bell-xk5dd]

😂😂😂

[@Dimapur]

Or a blessing if you have that specific "kink" 🤨

[@curiouscat428]

​@@Dimapur 👀

[@delilah28100]

Why would they even add a room over there? 😭

[@katerinafeiglova7886]

This is so sad. When I was young, I lived in what we considered a small apartment (around 35m2) with my mum, I had my own room and my mum slept in the living room. I considered myself unlucky for living in such a small space. Pity I hadn't seen this document back than, it would make me more thankful for the living space we had.

[@Ki-lv8iy]

same, I can't believe I complained so much :(

[@cametochangemyusername-can1295]

It's nice your mum let you have the room.

[@LMoneL]

Same for me. I used to live part time with my dad in his 40 m2 apartment. I absolutely hated it, and never had friends with me at his place, because I was embarrased. Compared to these Hong Kong homes, I realize now, that I lived in a palace.

[@bongky18]

It's really insane how HK government even allowed this to happen.

[@carcher3279]

Interesting how this exists in HK but yet you don't see it in Macau and Singapore?! Maybe it comes down to different structural or policy issues?

[@xjasonz]

@@carcher3279 in Singapore, the government owns the land. U shld read up on how Sg solves the housing issue right frm independence in 60's

[@austinli8891]

it's really just lobbyists at work

[@isay207]

Stop having kids

[@austinli8891]

@@isay207 that's how you end up with a country of dead people

[@eonadgm5416]

7 households shared 1 kitchen and 1 bathroom?! That's insane. I can't even arange myself with my one roommate without getting in each others way. I feel really sorry for those people. The goverment should be fixing this issue asap and not in 20 years. Just looking at those attic rooms makes me feel claustrophobic.

[@Originalman144]

The attic room over the toilet with no ventilation and the gaps around the water heater letting in all the stench from 12 people shatting out spicy beef everyday would be a sick twisted horror movie plot.

[@IamtheMan1111]

They don't have to, they just implement more policy to have more children, so there will be more population, and more profit. Comfortable is just a feeling.

[@swirlybun9616]

This left my speechless. My heart goes out for everyone living like this.

[@YoudeservetheBest]

The housing issue has always been a lifelong struggle for the poor in Hong Kong. As land is such a commodity here. It's not unusual for a luxury estate to be situated right next to government rented flats and only separated by a walkway. I mocked that as "a bridge too far"!. For one to apply for a government (public) flat, the waiting time can be at least 5 to 8 years. Those who are still waiting to move into a public flat may only afford to rent one of these, mainly illegally operated, subdivided flats. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen in this city, and personally, I don't think this story will ever end!

[@rosalynnchow5057]

Do you have a map of HK? Look at it carefully. Your housing issue is a huge problem, a legacy of your beloved colonial masters.

[@boobopish]

@@rosalynnchow5057 That’s bull. The HK handover was 25 years ago, the HK government has had plenty of time to fix this problem but has chosen not to do so. So stop with your bullsh*t lying and racism. Shame on you for lying. For facts sake read. 😡

[@JustMe-12345]

@@rosalynnchow5057 .....kinda weird phrasing dude...

[@whatevero_0450]

@@rosalynnchow5057I’ve heard it’s getting worse because the price of property went up after their autonomy from England. Lots of Chinese come to buy houses and live in Hongkong.

[@fubukifangirl]

Doesn't Hong Kong have a bunch of empty apartments?

[@jamesthornton2955]

Shame on you Hong Kong government 😢how dare you treat poor people like animals!

[@wsmithe2209]

Where were you when the Brit ruled HK city? This is the leftover from pre-ruler.

[@Labyrinth6000]

@@wsmithe2209Brits still made things better like sanitation, roads, education, plumbing, etc. now that they’re gone, China is in control.

[@yangliu456]

​@@Labyrinth6000 The housing policy is made by the british long agon, it's a heritige from them, yet the Hongkonger blame mainland China, what a joke.

[@alexisf22]

Exactly this is inhumane

[@happy-chanchan]

she isnot a 香港人, is she? is she an immigrant or just a 工人 from 越南？

[@allergictohumansnotanimals5671]

The prices are insane for such an atrocity

[@gsidhu2358]

I used to pay $900 for a room while in university. When I saw the prices, I though they were pretty cheap tbh

[@meggyspencer]

@@gsidhu2358 Are you insane? For half of what you paid for a nice clean room in uni + all the amenities they had a prison like room for 4 people, as well as a kitchen and a bathroom you would see in a horror movie. How is it cheap?

[@rosemangofairy]

This is due to powerful political powers in HK made up of real estate capitalist tycoons. Because land is small and scarce, they usually give more priorities to ultra wealthy people who can pay much more. Meanwhile the poor are given essentially "the scraps"- which is why we see so many photos of cramped up, almost inhumane, living spaces there. There is an incredible amount of wealth inequality in HK. I hope the HK people can stand up to a better quality of life 🙏🏻

[@Epiderm91]

No there are still a lot of land, but government intentionally not selling it to developers to build homes..

[@andia968]

@@Epiderm91 hk is very capitalistic

[@nulnoh219]

@@Epiderm91 The government tried. But the "Environmentalists" (probably backed by the tycoons) don't allow. Protests erupt every time the government announce they want to build Homes.

[@Epiderm91]

@@nulnoh219 then they deserve to live in that cage they call home

[@veryboliao]

The HK government is useless. HK is so much more wealthier than many cities in mainland China and yet they live in horrendous conditions. I wish the Chinese government will take over sooner and give the citizens what they deserve.

[@robertwong2218]

Those heartless landlords deserved to be jailed for creating misery for human beings. Who are they? Or are they from other planets? What goes around comes around. The Hong Kong government is also at fault allowed this kind of terrible living conditions to exist.

[@cb250nighthawk3]

It's the practice of capitalism by the landlords. They learnt it from USA.

[@curiouscat428]

And that's why rich people who does it by stepping on poor people got the scariest disease sometimes. Incurable cancers, fatal accidents to their kids, autistic or criminal kids. Or a jaded life where they can't seem to be happy eventho they be swimming in money (so they do plastic surgery to be "the prettiest", flex online, cheated on their spouses, and live on sleeping pills and antidepressants). And their lives are so full of misery themselves. What goes around comes around, for sure. And if it hasn't, don't worry. Life is just energy. You think you can get by doing evil just like that? 😂😂😂 Those that are your victims SEND negative energies to you and your families all the time. And that's why rich people that are cruel usually ends up with weird accidents and a generally jaded and unsatisfied life feeling confused and empty. Sometimes, not being uh... Tycoons, but be moderately rich and comfortable in life without commuting so much sin, is the best way one can "do life". Afterall, we're all just here for what? 70-100 years.

[@scottkrafft6830]

@@cb250nighthawk3 Even though China is communist, not capitalist.

[@cb250nighthawk3]

@@scottkrafft6830 So what if China is communist. So what if China is capitalist. So what if you call USA a democratic country.

[@yangliu456]

Hongkong is capitalism, mainland China is socialism

[@lionelwong5842]

Hong Kong has serious housing problems. In contrast Singapore which is smaller than Hong Kong, does not have such housing problems. There's adequate comfortable housing for most Singaporeans. Hong Kong should seriously look into ways of how to solve the pressing housing problems for these poor people.

[@rosalynnchow5057]

Only Beijing can resolve this. But are these Hongkongers worth the assistance? A million of them came out protesting and demanded for universal suffrage and 'democracy'. I never seen or heard them making protests, setting fire to buildings, demanding for "freedom n democracy' when the Brits were ruling them. When the gweilo ruled them, they were quiet, subservient, obedient, like slaves. Meanwhile my friends in Shenzhen are making hundreds of millions yearly...

[@boobopish]

@@rosalynnchow5057 Urgh you’re a disgusting disrespectful p*g to say that. So because ppl protest they don’t get housing and the right to compassion and empathy? I think you’re shameful s*b h*man. How dare you. 🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@boobopish]

@@rosalynnchow5057 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮p*g. Don’t you ever complain to anyone about racism. I know you have, hypocrite. You’re not normal love. 🤬

[@carcher3279]

​@@rosalynnchow5057 this is what I was thinking. And the comparison between Hong Kong and Singapore is intriguing.

[@MissBabyNe]

​@@rosalynnchow5057Get the f uck out of here and go lick your CCP master boots. Don't comment on things you don't know and only heard thru the grapevine. Also go pick up a history book about HK, before you spout nonsense.

[@boobopish]

I’ve lived in HK for over 30 years, and it’s been like this all this time, nothings changed, and nothing will. The government says they care, but they don’t. It’s disgusting to treat ppl like this, and especially in a rich city like HK.

[@iwanagohome326]

The Hong Kong politicians are in the pockets of the real estate developers and elite renters.

[@wsmithe2209]

It's been like this more than 30 years if you want to stretch even further.

[@boobopish]

@@wsmithe2209 Exactly!

[@bongky18]

It's rich financially but very poor spiritually. Citizens are treated like animals.

[@frank6401]

china will fix this issue, just watch

[@StephanieHua]

This is absolutely nostalgic. Noone knew any better. It was just life. I vividly remember just staying outdoors because it was incredibly boiling hot.

[@laurenanderson7330]

I don’t think that’s the correct use of nostalgic

[@cruellasdog]

I'm sorry you had to live like that

[@MoistCrumpet]

I sometimes like to watch videos about these homes just to make me feel more grateful for my living conditions.

[@rosiekapun207]

Not sure if this can be seen clearly but those cubicle rooms don't actually have full walls. There's a portion of the room that is open to the hallway and other cubicles. Basically you hear everything.

[@sandylewis777]

I feel so sad when seeing this kind of living environment😔

[@cb250nighthawk3]

I feel even sadder seeing people living on the streets.

[@boobopish]

@@cb250nighthawk3 These conditions are so bad that some prefer the street sleep, or some sleep in McDonald’s. Do you know how hot it gets in HK? In the summer it’s 35 degrees centigrade with 97% humidity, and that is 24/7 for 7 months of the year, these ppl don’t have Aircon you know, this isn’t normal, it’s disgusting and the HK government should be ashamed of themselves.

[@cb250nighthawk3]

@@boobopish You mean to say you prefer to be homeless than to have a home? I guess that's your choice. It's one thing to be homeless and another thing to have a home and choosing to sleep outside because it's hot and humid. If you don't have a home, when it's cold for the 5 months, you have to sleep out in the cold. With a home, you can sleep inside. You have a choice there. The homeless don't have a choice, no matter what the inclemental weather it is. So, no, it's not disgusting to have poor living quarters and no, it's not right to blame the capitalistic HK government. I live in the tropics. I know what being hot and humid is like.

[@boobopish]

@@cb250nighthawk3 No I didn’t say that, so you clearly can’t read, so as you are obviously illiterate. I have to stop engaging with you as you are also asinine. Try to get a book and read, I take it you know what a hood is right? 🙄

[@justinbarton8808]

Nope I’d still rather have roof over my head then live on the street in a box or something. At least they have something. Sometimes something is better than nothing, that said, yes it’s sad and gross but the government doesn’t care.

[@markanthony2973]

I was on vacation in HK back in 2019 for 5 days. The place I stayed at was set up like this. The room is so small that I'm having a hard time moving around. The bed is connected to the bathroom. The only consolation I had was that I have my own bathroom and air-conditioning.

[@jj-if6it]

why did you stay there? was it really cheap

[@markanthony2973]

@@jj-if6it yeah i was on a tight budget the rate was fair but not cheap. I was supposed to cancel my flight for a family emergency but i decided to continue with the trip since the airline won't issue a refund and I already paid for my tickets in HK ( disney+ ocean world) in advance and it's non refundable.

[@Willxdiana]

me too, 50 dollars a night airbnb. Im getting a hotel next time Im back

[@Willxdiana]

ridiculous. I cant believe my dad lived like this. makes me so sad.

[@alexkollammap]

I live in a pretty ordinary 2 storeyed house in a third world country but this video makes me feel like I live in a castle.

[@myperspective5091]

There is a similar trend in the United States. In Alaska it is common to take double wide mobile homes and subdivide them into 8-10 bedrooms. One bath and One kitchen. Rooms go between $400 -$700 per month In Alaska and over in Honolulu Hawaii they also take three bedroom apartments and turn them into six bedroom apartments. One bathroom and one kitchen apartments. Rooms go between $500-$700 per month. They are popular with migrant workers and people just coming off homelessness and college students. Some are college students only.

[@maddscientist3170]

NYC has the same issue only they are going for 1>4K per room

[@myperspective5091]

@@maddscientist3170 I’ve seen a single bedrooms go for up to $1,600 a month in a two bedroom apartment, but nothing higher than that. That is before HOA dues. HOA dues are all over the place these days. I saw a single room $100,000 condo with $1,200 a month HOA dues in downtown Honolulu.

[@rachelbaziak4159]

Thanks,didn’t know that.

[@wordmonster448]

Alaska is more space than Hong kong apartment imo same with Honolulu hawai

[@KyojuroRengoku98]

Same issues in London, Manchester and many major cities in UK, thousing quality is also very low

[@foxycon9059]

I'd rather not having children than letting my kid staying at such place..

[@henryjohnson-ville3834]

Yep. This I do not understand. "Hey honey, we are poor. Let's have kids!" 😑😑

[@Marianopiano]

I also don't understand but maybe they were doing alright, then the parents lost their jobs or something so the whole family had to move into something like this?

[@IamtheMan1111]

But more children, more population, so it's more profit.

[@ahhwe-any7434]

I don't understand the rich having kids & being sh parents either but hey it happens.

[@LeeLeeCRN]

​​​​@@Marianopianothat's what ppl don't think abt. They automatically blame parents for having kids. First of all accidents happen..birth control isn't 100%. I'm a nurse n I have seen more than a few cases of "surprise" babies being born even when contraception was used. I actually knew a coworker that got pregnant while on the pill! But regardless of that..life happens. I know plenty of families with children that are struggling but weren't at the time their children were born. It was especially so after covid. I don't think it's a conscious decision like someone stated above "gee were poor let's have kids" or something like that. Im not saying that I don't agree with the thought that if you cannot support yourself that you shouldn't have kids. There are ppl that ARE just plain irresponsible, but that's not always how it is. Sometimes the kids are already in the picture n life takes an unexpected turn.

[@TheCD45]

When I was an undergrad in Seoul, Korea in 2014, my relatively spacious one-room flat only costed $350/month, and only had to pay a 2-month advance for the security deposit (which I got back when my contract ended). The flat is literally a single, spacious room with everything in it: bathroom, kitchen, medium-size refrigerator, work table, and bed. Because there was enough space, I can even hang my clothes on metal bars surrounding my bed so no need for storage cabinets. There were small storage cabinets in the kitchen and for shoes. A couple on a tight budget can live with dignity in such a flat. I consider myself lucky that I was able to find such a home for 4 years in a prime student location in Seoul.

[@bumihijau5670]

This shows Singapore success in its HDB project providing affordable for its residence where the price is controlled by the govt.

[@renek2913]

As a singaporean, not really successful as many of us are struggling to buy new houses due to the increasing housing price. Many Singaporeans are not happy at all as the government does not do anything to curb the prices from rising

[@bumihijau5670]

@@renek2913 I am not Singaporean but have many friends there. They said got many tiers of pricing for different affordability. But seriously, at least you dun have to live in the condition as these HK residents right? You right in a way about house prices. It will only go up esp when space is limited.

[@malik250988]

@@renek2913why do you need to buy a new house? Don't your parents already have a home. Already fertility rate is 1 in Singapore. After your parents die, that house is yours 😊

[@renek2913]

@bumihijau5670 and you do know if the housing prices keep increasing, there will be a day where we have to live like hong kong right?

[@user-xy2gf5kb3h]

These are absolutely unimaginable prices! For example, in my country (before the start of terrible events) for $200 you could rent an old apartment in an average city. Let it be an old apartment, but it would be with all amenities and an area of at least 40 square meters (but in practice it is always much more).

[@nicholasgoh3526]

They should also have an exhibit of cage houses and organise tours to see the tens of thousands of homeless people living in parks, stadiums and tunnels. Tour guide should also show the barriers set up by the government to prevent homeless people from sleeping on park benches and under the bridges etc

[@stephencoldbear]

Great idea. That's just what we poor people want, tourists gawking at us on nights when we have no place to go. Thanks for wanting to turn people like me into a zoo exhibit.

[@HKallioGoblin]

That picture at 5:06 is surprisingly beautiful. One always finds something where is so much of everything.

[@anthonysiu6010]

Im getting claustrophobic just from watching this. Also i enjoy taking looong showers the idea of sharing it between 7 people is just so stressful

[@DrFauziUSM]

My family lives in a 92-square-meter rental house that costs only RM 300 (about USD 66). Seeing this video broke my heart, and I feel so grateful for whatever we have.

[@Max-yp1iw]

Malaysia?

[@wanoroCemeng]

​@@Max-yp1iwmore like indonesia, my country. But, i dont believe it - except he lives in a remote village. In town (suburbans) 100 usd only gets u 3x4 empgy room.

[@TheOnlyTruthTalker]

@@wanoroCemeng He’s talking about Malaysia, and he is living in a government subsidized flat. Salaries are much higher in Malaysia than Indonesia, and rental is also cheaper, that’s why you don’t believe it.

[@wanoroCemeng]

@@TheOnlyTruthTalker if they earn more,, why couldnt they afford to buy a house? Even indonesians who live like tramps in big cities here actually HAVE a house in their village. It is our mentality, we save and save for our old age.

[@izdeblur]

@@wanoroCemenghe’s probably a govt officer. They get to rent govt’s houses for cheap. The location is also strategic and near the city centre or wherever they work at. Meanwhile, they can also buy their own home in a suburban area 30-40km from city centre as a retirement home.

[@CyclingM1867]

It's heartbreaking and horrifying to see how people are forced to live in these and the cage homes.

[@birdiefalls6352]

I cant begin to understand the amount of stress living in such a small space with strangers. My heart breaks for them

[@grimberet1570]

Very informative, thanks.

[@iamaparanoidandroid1]

I have lived in a fair few shared houses in the UK in my time, and visited many more when trying to find the next place to stay. The least salubrious place I ever lived in would come close to the 'best' of the rooms shown here (single lady with window): One bathroom and one kitchen shared between 4 rooms, each housing 1 person (there was an additional toilet downstairs, so less queueing). We did have a proper lounge though, and two fridges, there was also a garden (and a garage for storage). It was the best I could afford at the time, and there were other places that were closer to this (although not the attic rooms) that I viewed. I have also had friends who have lived in properties that were closer to the HK one, especially in/around London. The thing that saddens me about this video is the types of people who were living there: We were all students/trainees at the time, and so living conditions weren't as important, to be in these conditions as an elderly couple doesn't bear thinking about.

[@xXxSkyViperxXx]

my goodness. my grandmother rents out more space to one person for only equivalent to $89 per month in my country and each room at least has a small latrine and kitchenette

[@DeltaPi314]

Back in uni I used to work as a handyman and a fixer upper. Had this client (European, but not going to disclose nationality) who had me work on a two room flat. The madman actually made the bedroom above the bathroom and wanted me to do the insulation so the humidity doesn't reach the person sleeping above (more so as not to cause structural issues later on). I straight out refused that job.

[@SachigreenMinh]

In Hanoi- Vietnam, subdivided apartments like that still exists in the old quarter area. One family lives in an 10m2 room and some in attic room, they cant even stand up straight.

[@lfc1981]

The HK govt knew about these conditions for decades, but did nothing about it. ridiculous!

[@dragothunderstar6526]

Lol that’s what happens when Hong Kong city planning is left to the British and local hongkongers it’s their own undoing. And they were proud of these boxed in units smh

[@polaris1985]

And you still want democracy in Hong Kong?

[@alesto3202]

This is Hong Kong's land rent system formulated by Thatcher.Britain controls the government of Hong Kong, but they doesn't care about the lives of Hong Konger at all, they just need a financial Hong Kong, BBC will never cover it

[@Ahahahhaaah]

@@dragothunderstar6526the British have nothing to do there 😂, you must be talking about the local HK’s 🤡

[@mpdmpd8118]

small land with corrupted gov and rules by the rich that's what happened

[@pinaytravels2789]

Governments in cities should allocate residential space for elderly. Housing should not be driven by greed. Like food it is a basic necessity

[@bobbyleeswagger8421]

7 households shared one kitchen? That is insane just to even have 2 households.

[@larrydestiny2184]

I don't know why ppl always compare Hongkong to Singapore. They are in completely different level. Hongkong can't even provide basic housing to its residents.

[@CP4Z167]

My grandparents and parents used to live in something similar. They have come a long way, sometimes I forget how lucky with a very normal upbringing

[@wilhelmherren7225]

imagine this during LOCKDOWN

[@NjonjoNdehi]

A Hong Kong pal couldn't believe how big my flat was in Kenya. Will soon have a house on my own acre.

[@Sunshinespeck]

These living conditions are absolutely appalling! I wouldn’t pay one dollar for such accommodations. This is heartbreaking to watch that people spend their lives in such environment! 😢

[@elainelindsey1306]

I've seen videos on US prisons cells that are so much more modern and spacious than these homes. Even singapore is small country but prisoners each have there own shower and toilet in there cells. If you live in a box you end up with a box mentality, these people deserve better

[@oxvendivil442]

Even poorer South East Asia isn't this bad, that is why living in the provinces/rural areas are better, with modern technology and logistics it is proving much more fulfilling, I personally would dare not live in this kind of cramped and filthy flat myself unless there is war or calamities, their subdivided flats is smaller than my shower and tub room. Moving to the countryside is not that bad as long as you make the livingspace nice, clean and chic. If I was a Hongkonger I'd move to mainland China or ASEAN.

[@lisadolan689]

Very interesting documentary. 🙏🙂

[@zhisu2665]

I've lived in a horrible motel room for years with my family so I can understand some of how these people felt. it does horrid things to your mental, emotional and physical health after a few days

[@tamahtaylor348]

This breaks my heart.

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

at first I thought that attic room has its own fridge

[@juneyi187]

I was born in a small village in China, we were poor during 70-90,but we ‘be never lived like this situation, I feel so sad for people living in this situation in hongkong

[@HmmM-wn1dx]

Well, at least as Londoner I can see our future. This year first time I have seen couple rooms with no window. One of them was an ensuite but the only window was a bathroom window.

[@tw418]

No human being should have to live like that

[@9.1416]

Somehow now I feel spacious in my 400 sq feet apartment in Mumbai.

[@zoraidacastro2703]

I was complaining about 525 square feet.

[@carnotengine7]

why do you have username in mandarin?

[@9.1416]

@@carnotengine7 why can't I have my username in Mandarin?😁

[@carnotengine7]

@@9.1416 ajeeb log >_

[@19irving]

Reminds me a little of the NYC tenament my father grew up in during the 1930s.

[@pantha03]

seeing this Im really grateful that me and my 2 siblings and parents have our own rooms and we have 2 bathrooms

[@msm2217]

I am thankful living in Singapore that even with the smallest Government flat (not counting the rental ones), we live in relative spaciousness ❤

[@hongqi5734]

If the British had looked into the housing problems during their rule, or the media had exposed this situation at that time, the people of Hong Kong would be living in much better conditions now.

[@emmabeer5690]

You must admit they made the best with what they had. Really space saving and minimalist

[@nadia_ash3250]

Every day may seem hard but I have to be thankful for how I’m living, ain’t no way I’m sharing a pace with 12 folks

[@jamesfernick3741]

theyre starting to do this in canada now, its hard to rent a house within an hour of toronto without it being over $5000 a month or divided between like 3-5 families, when i was a kid in the 90s every house in my neighborhood had a husband and wife and maybe a kid or two living in it and 2 cars in the driveway (barely any cars on the streets), now half the houses have been converted into these rooming houses where they pave over the lawn and theres still like 5 cars on the street in front of each of them, so they have like 10-12 adults living in tiny rooms in a house that was originally built for 2 adults to live with children, its like 1 lane going down the streets and i have to pull over if someone's coming the other way because theres like 5 times as many cars in the neighborhood as there was in the 90s, but thats what happens when your government is big on immigration (so new families are constantly moving in) and big on conservation (so nothing new gets built without it being a decades long multimillion dollar process) i mean im all for 100,000 new families moving in every year, theres tons of room in canada, just please make a plan to zone and build 100,000 new homes for them to live in rather than preserving some forest nobody is using for anything, i learned about the economics of supply and demand when i was 12 surely someone in the federal government sees this too,

[@Labyrinth6000]

You asked for it and voted for it, deal with the consequences especially since some who have criticized the government had their bank accounts frozen

[@kaseyrhoades2334]

this whole thing seems like a major fire hazard and death trap

[@lilawolfe3341]

its scary to think how fast my city is turning rentals into something similar. theyd be renting shoplots and do divisions thatll literally fit 1 single bed and charges ppl 500. madness

[@rinanoviana4021]

As someone who lives in a house with a family of 6 and 1 bathroom, I can imagine how chaotic it must be in the morning. There must be banging on the bathroom door, and Mom yelling that 'you're going to be late for school!'. 😅

[@von_9]

The rent is very expensive. What job do they have to be able to afford their rent? In my country 400$ a month can actually make a nice hiuse installment.

[@HypatiaMuse]

In the U.S. we learn about the overcrowded tenements of the 19th century, with museums in cities like NY that recreated the conditions - this reminds me of that. Even in the U.S. we are facing a housing affordability crisis amongst rising wealth inequality. I believe Americans have generally expected much bigger living quarters than they really need, but this is at the other extreme. Societies could do a much better job regarding how wealth is distributed - over the past few decades, we've seen an unprecedented transfer of wealth from the working class to the very wealthiest, and the hyper-consumerist outlook is not sustainable for this planet.

[@Labyrinth6000]

Wealth distribution = communism

[@alimfuzzy]

I know someone who does this in melbourne.... he fits 20 students into a space for 3.

[@LauraSanchez-bt4fi]

😮

[@dreameister1212]

Is it allowed by law in Australia?

[@moonbinnn]

Go report him/her.

[@Hkchinese888]

How?

[@ToiChutGongFlu]

Now my China take over things is get better for everyone in Hong Kong 🤗

[@TraceysHappyPlace]

Should be shown to all the people who can't possibly share a sink with their spouse or who think every child needs their own room and bathroom. It is so sad that some people have so much and some so little.

[@Iris_Collins]

I grew up sharing a room with all of my sisters. To us, that was normal. Having our own room was inconceivable.

[@Userkzb20253]

This is a symbol of shames for such a stellar world class city. It Can’t even provide adequate space for its residents.

[@Spoiled_horsegirl]

7 people shared one small kitchen! WOW 😲

[@moumitamog]

This seems scary , i wouldn't survive...and that toilet n kitchen being shared by 12 people 😮

[@lechat8533]

I strongly believe that although HK is heavily overcrowded, a solution for better living conditions could be found. But anywhere in the world, anybody cares for the lower classes. In HK the living are literally sharing their living space with the dead. The cemeteries are more or less positioned right next to people`s housing. When we take a look at the US, the so-called richest country in the world, we can see that people are living on the streets and in underground tunnels like rats. It`s a disgrace. While some people are buying diamond necklaces for their cats and dogs, others have to fight to survive. while people in the Collective West are tossing tons and tons of food down the drain, elsewhere in the world people are dying of hunger. Problems exist to be solved. But if people don`t care for each other, this society will soon collapse and we`ll see the Mad Max syndrome unfold in front of our eyes. Some are already there but it has to affect the rich people in order to turn the steering wheel around and save humanity from a total collapse.

[@Labyrinth6000]

It’s called capitalism, I’m not interested in your communist rhetoric

[@bibitiptoes1473]

Yeah, so hord popcorn!

[@Originalman144]

"Problems exist to be solved" Unfortunately, it's not so simple. There are no solutions to these problems. There are only trade-offs.

[@wordmonster448]

Lol you're hate on USA doesn't make you look better all 7 continent has homeless and problem not just USA this comment simply proof your bias hatred one country to another

[@albertteng1191]

looks worse than a prison cell.

[@shawnalynn5198]

The "room" above the attic is insane. Can't imagine living like that.

[@tingobingo1401]

That toilet attic room is beyond criminal 🤢

[@misterbig9025]

Imagine living like this in my country. You must hold your breath to escape the odor.

[@ToiChutGongFlu]

Now my China take over things is get better for everyone in Hong Kong 🤗

[@yenpham-jb4wo]

Yes Indian people stink

[@yukie_tn]

If I was elderly and living like this, I would feel like my entire life is an utter failure.

[@ItsDKPP]

ive never felt so much appreciation for my life after this vid

[@kathleenmckenzie9500]

I thank this woman telling us the real truth. I would not know other wise. We like the truth to be told.we learn and grow from this . Less distances from everyone .

[@wyldelf2685]

There are some abuse shelters and homeless shelters in southern United States that are similar to this , , , sad thing some fixed income resthomes will take ideas from this 😞😞

[@livelifegalaxy]

Better to sleep in the park than the toilet attic

[@LauraSanchez-bt4fi]

😅😂

[@misterbig9025]

They usually go to 24 hour McDonalds.

[@Smiley66833]

🤔🤔🤔 Isn't that what's happening in America where lots of people sleep in the park, pavements and under the bridges?? 🤔🤔🤔

[@Smiley66833]

​@@misterbig9025 🤔🤔🤔 There's warmth, air-conditioning and toilets facilities 24 hours McDonald's 🤔🤔🤔

[@stevenlau79]

My mom and dad used to sleep on Twin size bed ans slept like that. It break my heart.

[@Cutiekrizzy]

I feel poor but watching this..i am still grateful even though i am living in a small nipa hut in the middle of the farm here in the province of Phil🇵🇭i don’t need to think about the rent,and the electricity is not so expensive here,i feel pity for these old people and the kids🥺

[@unit0261]

Have you ever seen the shared houses and condo units in dubai? This is actually much cleaner and bigger.

[@wooshbaiter3525]

whataboutism

[@user-nf6bw9zm8d]

For exhibitions of course

[@samuelademeso9041]

That because this is turn into a museum exhibition.

[@ToiChutGongFlu]

Now my China take over things is get better for everyone in Hong Kong 🤗

[@user-nf6bw9zm8d]

@@ToiChutGongFlu I don’t feel any changes

[@Smile936]

2:34 I wish when they converted living costs to USD they would show the average income too. Otherwise it’s really not comparable.

[@traveliciustravelicius1493]

the guide mentioned that a low paid worker is paid something like 1200-1300 USD per month

[@vaibhavkhairnar7313]

Heart melting😢

[@ShuMhmd1671]

This is crazy. I am grateful to live in my country where you can get 2 storey house (flat) for half approz the proce of the family room.

[@ahtheh]

It's hard to think that this flat is one of the nicer examples

[@rstanev951]

For many Europeans this sounds like a distant country where things like this happen as something normal. But in 2001 I went to work and live in Dublin, Ireland, and when I first arrived we were 13 people in a 3 bedroom house with only 1 toilet/shower room and a small kitchen unit to be shared by all 13 of us. After a few weeks 2 of us moved into a "better" accommodation which consisted of 1 single room divided into 3 parts by a curtain. We only had 2 beds, 2 chairs, a small table, sink and a microwave. There was again a single shower room/toilet located between the floors to be shared by 4 flats/rooms. We had no washing machine so had to hand wash our clothes in a small kitchen sink. There was no dryer or a place to dry your clothes, no iron, no oven or a cooker, no kettle.... Have you ever had to buy frozen pizza and microwave it? It's disgusting.... There was this "electric meter" thing and we had to feed it with 1 Punt coins (Irish currency at the time) to be able to have electric power in the room.... And people feel sorry for those in Honk Kong...

[@aylanae4797]

This isn't the oppression Olympics Stan.... what a 💩 way to end your experience trying to diminish others. 🤡

[@jasmine-so7jo]

i think what you're failing to realise here is that the hong kong housing crisis is so immediate that people can't afford to move out into better accommodation (like you did after a couple of weeks) and this subdivided unit is really their only choice. hong kong is consistently in the top 5 most expensive real estate cities in the world and i, (a citizen of hong kong) feel that people SHOULD feel sorry for those living in hong kong (not trying to disregard the struggles that other countries are facing) and try to sympathise with the struggles

[@HoneyQuint]

Where did you come from? South Asia? Sounds very typical for them who come to work in Europe. You guys try to save money to send home n live in these conditions all the time. No offence you chose to come to work in a foreign country. This was your choice. These people have no choice. You will finish your work contract and will go back to Bangla or PK where your family built your own house with the money u have sent them back home. These people will never move out of these subdivided flats nor will go back 'home' HK is their home n so is this flat. This is why I don't see why people shud feel sorry for you neither shud you

[@rstanev951]

@jasmine-so7jo Hey Jasmine, I'm sorry it sounded like I'm trying to tell people not to feel sorry for the situation in Honk Kong. My comment was more aimed towards Europeans who might see Honk Kong as some far away place and find it difficult to relate to.

[@Labyrinth6000]

Sounds more like a hostel to me.

[@nc8414]

I live right now in a mental health facility and this place makes my facility room look like a mansion. So sad.

[@snusun]

i used to live in 25 square M flat when i was working for docking facilities, and i thought it was the worse experience i had. looking back actually is far more better, my own privacy, my own fridge, my won kitchen, my own window, and my own live (living alone) and the landlady only charge me $135 a month. such a hefty price for new guy but looking at hong kong condition, it's not even comparable

[@jeffreyzain]

It doesn’t look like a museum at all. It still looks as if there are still people living there and they’re just off to work 🙄

[@WeRequireMoreMineral]

Yes, that's the point of the exhibit.

[@tyisamess]

Wow no one should have a room that is worse than living on the street.

[@PH-tv2sw]

This is how our family lived back in Vietnam. We had three family in a two bedroom

[@kamehameha2195]

After seeing this I feel my life is 1000 times better.....thisis freaking mental

[@LoveAlways1002]

😭🙏🏾💔 How is this even possible!!!! This should be a crime!!!😢😢😢

[@cb250nighthawk3]

Living on the streets is worse.

[@LoveAlways1002]

@cb250nighthawk3 Exactly why it should be a crime.... using homelessness as the standard to which you measure adequate housing against is terrible... how about give people the option to rent something you would be comfortable in... or comfortable having your family and friends in.

[@cb250nighthawk3]

@@LoveAlways1002 If it is a crime, homelessness is worse than this. What I'm saying is that having a place to stay is way better than being homeless, as in many countries around the world. No, I don't agree that it is a crime. It is bad but not a crime. Being homeless is more of a crime than living in a little pigeon hole. It is part of the workings of capitalism. Unless you are saying that capitalism is a crime.

[@ArtIsDrawing]

So, why don't you buy a home in your country and offer your services? Your all talk!

[@alexkollammap]

@@cb250nighthawk3 It is a million times better than that attic above the freaking bathroom. I would choose streets any given day.