CNN News Story about cage homes in Hong Kong

CNN News Story about cage homes in Hong Kong.

Original source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/28/cage.homes/index.html

Hong Kong, China (CNN) -- If you have ever complained that your apartment is the size of a shoebox, consider the living space of Hong Kong resident Chung For Lau.

Chung lives in a 625 square foot (58.06 square meter) flat here with 18 strangers.

The place is sectioned into tiny cubicles made of wooden planks and wire mesh. Everything he has acquired over the years -- clothes, dishes, figurines, a tired TV set -- is squeezed into this tiny cube, a modernized version of what is known here as a cage home.

With all the buzz over Hong Kong's exorbitant luxury property (like the recent record-breaking sale of a $57 million duplex), it may be hard to believe that people have been living in cage homes in this city for years.

But with Hong Kong home to some of the most densley-populated urban districts in the world, real estate has always come at a premium, no matter how small.

Chung's cage is a newer yet less-desirable model, we are told. The wire mesh one, which resembles an over-sized rabbit hutch, is apparently more comfortable.

Occupants have less privacy, but the temperatures don't get as high as in the wooden-mesh variety. A thermometer in Chung's home reached 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit). Sometimes it gets so hot, Chung said, that he wants to die.

Chung used to be a security guard. In the good old days he earned about $500 (HK$3,875) per month. But as the economic crisis set in, his full time job went to part time work until he was laid off this past summer.

As he stared into his bank passbook, Chung lamented that he wouldn't be able to make the $150 rent (HK$1,160) this month -- these cubes aren't cheap.

They are stacked on two levels -- $100 (HK$775) for a cube on the upper deck and $150 for the lower bunk.

The lower cubes are more expensive because you can just barely stand upright in them. Do the math and the apartment owner is collecting roughly $2,500 a month (HK$19,375) from these people.

The 19 occupants share two toilets. A small rubber hose attached to a leaky faucet is what they use to wash themselves. Social workers who monitor the apartments said the electricity is donated, so a few of them have TVs. One person on the upper deck has an aquarium.

One social workers said that because of the recession these homes are being occupied more frequently by those made jobless -- people in their 30s and 40s. The social worker said none of the younger people wanted to speak on camera for fear their chances of finding work would be hurt.

Chung, 67, is now waiting for welfare to kick in and is on a long list for public housing. The government says it is doing its best to meet its citizens' needs, but Chung says he has lost all hope. Economic recovery or not, he feels forgotten.

Category:

News & Politics

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[jack3107]

阿伯識英文wo



[YuDumPhuck]

Anyways this reporter has a nice juicy round ass.

[alstoer1]

@YuDumPhuck Agreed, She has a nice figure.

[lizychatoypupi]

@loren6Q Careful with your karma. You may end up being reborn in poverty, with no opportunities or option of bettering yourself except to move to a different country where there may be better chances. Your writing skills exhibit a very low educational level. Are you employed or just living off of the welfare others give you. Are you human?

[TheTillTill]

People live here because they have to other choice. If they had the option not to live here they wouldn't but they don't.

[TheTillTill]

@loren6Q If people don't have the right surroundings and support systems then how the hell are they not 'going to die poor'?

[LucianneStan]

This is just dreadful I just cant believe anyone would live here

[loren6Q]

They are most likely illegal immigrants . "it's not your fault if you're born poor, but it is if you die poor." bill gates

[loren6Q]

@Sweetkikiify its cuhs they are most likely illegal

[Sweetkikiify]

The government seldom tries to do anything to help the poor. The distance is getting further and further between the poor and the wealthy. If this condition continues, the consequences may be serious. We should think seriously for this problem. Although it seems like a minor problem, we should not neglect this. I hope the whole China including Hong Kong itself should try to do something useful to help these poor guys. Just announce giving out social welfare is not enough.Basically, help them!~><

[vivianeb90]

The Chinese government is just unable to deal with the gravity of the situation. They have to realize by heart that people want China as a whole and not a hollow China.

[vivianeb90]

I think partially why there are still problems like these, is because corruption still is a big issue in China and also because the government fears what they trigger with their strict laws and regulations: poverty, demonstration, gap between rich 'n poor, problems, etc. They fear to loose their face, so they sacrifice innocent people. But no outsider may become aware of that, which leads to more strict regulations. Although China's feet are headed into the future, its head is stuck in the past.