Hong Kong's Tiny Homes at Risk: Families Face Uncertain Future

The Hong Kong government is set to enforce minimum standards for subdivided homes, putting nearly 220,000 residents at risk of eviction or increased rent. The initiative, prompted by Beijing’s concerns over housing shortages contributing to unrest, raises questions about housing inequality in the city.

As Liu Lanhua navigates her cramped home in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, she grapples with the reality of her living situation—her kitchen doubling as the only bathroom, where kitchenware and personal items share space in disarray. Liu and her daughter represent a growing number of residents—approximately 220,000—living in subdivided homes, a stark reflection of Hong Kong's escalating income gap.

The recent announcement from Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, introduces new regulations aimed at enforcing minimum size and fixture standards for these tiny homes, potentially leading to the phasing out of over 30,000 such apartments. Liu's residence, where there is insufficient space even for basic facilities like a sink, highlights the challenges that families like hers face under these new rules.

Liu’s home situation, with its limited amenities, underscores her family's precarious position. The tough living conditions provoke a constant worry about the future: “If we had money, these would be in separate rooms,” she laments, referencing the cramped space she shares with her 12-year-old daughter and their two pet turtles.

This government initiative, inspired by directives from Beijing aiming to eliminate subdivided units by 2049, is not just about housing regulations; it also addresses wider social issues. Authorities link the housing crisis to the unrest experienced in the city in 2019, viewing it as a contributing factor to civil discontent. As these new regulations loom, many families are left wondering whether they will find their homes lost to rising rents or eviction, only compounding the city's existing housing inequality.