The grim reality of life in Hong Kong’s ‘coffin homes’ | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo
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One miserable failure that seems to endlessly haunt Hong Kong is its inability to house underprivileged residents in humane conditions. While a well-off minority lives in luxury, many Hongkongers struggle to find affordable flats. Some of the poorest members of society are crammed into what, at best, can be described as “coffin homes”. How bad is the situation for this demographic, and what hope do they have for the future? In this special episode of Talking Post, managing editor Yonden Lhatoo joins social worker Sze Lai-shan on a visit to some of these tiny residences to try and understand what is at stake and why finding solutions should matter in one of the world’s most affluent cities.
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@rchristi761 Місяць тому
That lady who finds shelter for the homeless is a wonderful example of humanity.💐💕☮️🙏
@Christmas-dg5xc Місяць тому
Beautiful lady.
@miloo3969 Місяць тому
Bless her ❤❤❤❤
@nonino1644 Місяць тому
🙏🏽 Yes she is and she is vivacious and she is
@worldview730 7 днів тому
Horrifying, Like caged animals in a Kennel, such a huge gap between the rich & poor
@devinl8487 Місяць тому
Sze Lai-shan is an inspiration. She doesn't care about money or fame. She just wants to help these poor people and give them hope.
@makanmata Місяць тому
Will she be helping poor people by making their housing illegal? What is the alternative to "coffin houses?" Whatever one thinks about coffin houses, living on the street is much worse.
@jobturkey7418 Місяць тому
Chinede vs Singaporean culture very diffrent. Chinese can be very warm but look other way if they are doing well they don’t care about the poor
@pwshort879 Місяць тому
Brahmasthala(Beijing), Chakradhar(Chengdu) and so on ,all these cities and their state(province)are integral part of india
@queenofthebutterflies5212 Місяць тому
She is an angel.
@LilStoops Місяць тому
@@jobturkey7418 Lol, Kiasu much!
@Luminousplayer Місяць тому
the guy that is 80 yo actually looks amazing for the age
@joebidet2050 Місяць тому
Agree thought 65 or so
@Wooplot Місяць тому
Asian don't raisin.
@jeromeburdine966 Місяць тому
As the saying goes, "Asians don't raisin."
@danielzboy Місяць тому
Yeah seriously he still has so much hair, and they are mostly grey, barely any white. He really does look like he's only in his 60s or 70s
@IARRCSim Місяць тому
Living in tiny spaces might be the fountain of youth.
@shaun_seow Місяць тому
My Hong Kong ex-colleague once told me HK people like to stay out late after work as much as possible to delay going back to their chicken coops housing. One of the reasons why their nightlife is bustling.
@MeiinUK Місяць тому
It's true... cos it is a hot climate kind of place... and they don't necesarily have the air con inside their rooms. So they might just die in them.. to avoid that, they sit outside... and stay outside instead. Some people live and sleep in the local park marble benches cos it is cool and it is nice ?...
@reneedennis2011 Місяць тому
😮
@sandie683 Місяць тому
Sad and thank you for this video. Landlords are ruthless with greed in HK.
@MbisonBalrog Місяць тому
I humidity also cools down a lot at night.
@soxpeewee 11 днів тому
I imagine a lot of people work multiple jobs also
@briankelly85 Місяць тому
I will never complain about my 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan ever again.
@diemcarl5546 Місяць тому
😂
@18000rpm Місяць тому
Singapore has similar population as Hong Kong, similar land size, similar income level, but 85% of Singaporeans own their government built housing, and ZERO persons live in coffin or cage homes. HK's government just does not care for their poor.
@nanahuang. Місяць тому
They never had a leader like LKY
@agymayachelonia8381 Місяць тому
Not own. It's a 99 year lease, after which no one knows what will happen. Waiting to see what the SG govt will do.
@gener8423 Місяць тому
@@agymayachelonia8381 I'll take the 99 year lease anytime, rather than not owning anything.
@mmfong297 Місяць тому
Could it be because Singapore politicians and housing developers are less greedy and less selfish? I been inside Singapore's HDB before.. it's quite nice and spacious
@pmhwong Місяць тому
Singapore's land is largely flat, where as Hong Kong has lots of mountains, hills, and bumps. Hence, the vast variety of hiking trails which people enjoy, which Singapore lacks. If Hong Kong were as flat as Singapore, housing would be much less of the problem it is now. Auctioning of land is another major factor that contributes to the high costs, but let's not get into that here.
@mandyaustinbadart5814 Місяць тому
My father investigated these coffin homes when he worked for RTHK in the 70's. From what I remember ( long time ago) , the big issue back then was that people were unable to pay for aged care so they would put them into these cage homes and leave them there to die. He was quite shaken by what he saw.It's a disgrace, an embarrassment is not putting it strongly enough. Well done, Sze Lai-Shan! Most people don't seem to care.#scmp #TalkingPostwithYondenLhatoo
@LK-dx2oq Місяць тому
I can’t believe they don’t have a kitchen to share. That is not a kitchen!!!
@jacobrocks7 Місяць тому
HK is a city of extremes. Simply too dense and wages are too low..cage homes are absolutely disgusting way to live for humans. That social worker is an angel
@queenofthebutterflies5212 Місяць тому
Redistribution of wealth is the answer. Tax the rich! (imo)
@rulerofomicronpersei8 19 днів тому
@@queenofthebutterflies5212so take my money, money that I worked hard for, and give it people who didn’t earn it? That’s utterly ridiculous, and a path to economic collapse. You don’t know what you’re talking about, clearly.
@queenofthebutterflies5212 19 днів тому
@@rulerofomicronpersei8 So you think you deserve to live comfortably and those people deserve to live in coffin homes? You, sir, deserve to be taxed for that! Lol
@sayjay26 11 днів тому
The same can be said here, we have Skid Row in Los Angeles and Homeless Encampments springing up around the country.
@peng7211 Місяць тому
I truely feel the pain for these people and truely appreciate what the editor is doing for exposing the real issues for Hong Kong Chinese people.
@JamesEvans-yn9hh Місяць тому
it's because of the British and their ways, they are like this also, they are to blame but their country even royals are falling and cancer of them proves it @mmfong297 they are the cause of war including in Middle East still
@kiwigirljacks Місяць тому
I think I’d rather be on the street than live in one of those coffin homes. My claustrophobia would be too much to stand! Whole situation is so sad.
@SagittarianArrows Місяць тому
So you say. Try living on the streets first. As an elderly person in HK where there is little social security from the ex-British govt you would welcome a roof to be dry from typhoon season!
@annetoronto5474 Місяць тому
No one should be living on the streets, but the problem is some people can’t be trusted to live with others. Drug addiction, mental illness, and criminal behaviour makes some individuals unable to live with others. All these people living in tents on the streets have family members who have extra room in their homes, but you can’t have your stuff stolen or busted up because of addiction and bad behaviour.
@thennowforever47 Місяць тому
Agreed. Their would be a minute pause before I'd run out. Not ok😢
@stephiegiselle Місяць тому
Sze Lai-shan is my shero!!!!! Amazing but thankless work! This is her love language. She has a heart for humanity.
@tektako Місяць тому
Every society’s ‘prosperity’ should be measured by the standard and quality of living that prevails for the absolute bottom rung of society.
@sophieschoices9663 Місяць тому
Completely agree!
@GoLeafszGo Місяць тому
There is so much mountainous land in HK, unfortunately, the HK government doesn't want to touch that land to keep land prices high with the short supply. - From HK
@andia968 Місяць тому
mountaineous land is not a problem . it can be demolished,bulldozed,flattened ,albeit, costlier . It is probably because they dont want to offend existing property owners and investors (tycoons included) because doing so will decrease property prices
@MMLL369 Місяць тому
What you need to consider is the fact that, Hong Kong is a "duty free port" and a city with one of the lowest income tax. Where else could the government get money from? Do you want the government to slap on a 20% VAT/GST?
@christopherchen6170 Місяць тому
no the govt wants to touch those land its the enviromentalists and the developeres and the people who owns housing already that dont want it touched
@stickynorth Місяць тому
@@andia968 Bingo! Same reason Vancouver is unaffordable... The supply is kept low on purpose so land and property owners can squeeze profits from every single soul there... I unlike everyone in my university graduating class avoid the city like the dystopian nightmare that it is... Alberta is superior in almost every way... Except politically.. Wingnut premier of Alberta takes us back like 90 years...
@Eric-lx8hp Місяць тому
Those Albertan governments put their people first it's a reason so many young people are moving there
@suzeelewis718 Місяць тому
What a beautiful wonderful woman!! Thank the Lord for this lady 🙏🏼❤️
@sssfff Місяць тому
Uncle Leung was communicating in English at the beginning of the interview. He must be highly educated. Wonder if anyone knows his background. Might be a professional or has been abroad.
@18000rpm Місяць тому
If I were the HK government I'd tell the billionaire property developers - for every new luxury apartment you build, you need to build or pay for one low cost government housing. The problem will be solved in 5 years.
@castorchua Місяць тому
If I were the Hong Kong government I'd just let them build.
@adventure953 Місяць тому
They will be lobbying not to build public housing to bring down their private property price....🤣. So the younger gen will buy their private home still.
@botmoderator3405 13 днів тому
I wonder if that worked for New York?
@JS-rm2ws Місяць тому
This problem exists here in London too, but not on this scale (it's not quite as bad). It isn't due to a shortage of housing. It's due to greed and too many landlords. Buy only 1 home, the one you need to live in, and this problem wouldn't exist
@tektako Місяць тому
Not everyone can afford even ONE home so that’s not the solution. What SHOULD happen is that shoebox squalor be outlawed. Development approval should be refused for any residential project that doesn’t guarantee occupant has a minimum square metres of living space, non-shared kitchen/bathing/toilet facilities. I dont know what the number would be but there is a minimim standard required for basic human mental/physical health. We know what proper furniture looks like and the size of the average human so at a bare minimum if you can’t fit a normal bed, couch, dining setting etc then its too fckg small. Natural light, a window. Not that complicated. So long as half of humanity is still below this standard it doesn’t matter how ‘well’ anyone else is doing.
@JS-rm2ws Місяць тому
@@tektako most people cannot afford one home because property prices have been inflated due to rampant house price speculation. That is caused by landlords and investors buying multiple properties each. The more buying that goes on in a market (any market) pushes up prices. Think about it. It's really not complex. And when these wealthy landlords and investors have bought up all the homes, what's left for everyone else? This last point is what causes even further house price inflation. Yep, like I said the problem is greed, landlords, & investors
@tektako Місяць тому
@@JS-rm2ws i see you haven’t absorbed a thing of what ive said
@JS-rm2ws Місяць тому
@tektako I addressed the first point you made
@Alpffine Місяць тому
Greed? The HMO landlords if anything, the shared accomodation they provide alleviate the housing shortage since it increases the housing supply by housing multiple tenants in one home. Also, London has legal standards of minimum living space for each tenant, it's not remotely the same as the "bedsit rental" in Hong Kong.
@oileengrace8228 Місяць тому
Thank you MIss Sze for your years of hard work for the people of HK. 🙏
@user-ze7pj6wo5o Місяць тому
Those cage homes existed since Hong Kong was still under British rule. Imagine that.
@areebachewa8318 Місяць тому
Where the Hongkie people trust their colony ...
@rlvedhzl3743 Місяць тому
When imperialism was moving ppl from hillside huts to multi storey buildings for more than 20 years, our beloved government leaded by local elites just turned a blind eye and legalized these horrible living conditions. Wow what a heaven it has been after handover!
@jessieh867 Місяць тому
Such an old unsolved social problem for many decades 😶
@vincentng2392 Місяць тому
Chinese rule failed to deal with it for more than 26 years.
@azureliteyahoo Місяць тому
So why do they trust the British but not the chinese government?
@lilaaxd Місяць тому
The opening broken my heart already ~~ "How many years of life do I have left..." ~~ the situation is heartbreaking 💔
@annetoronto5474 Місяць тому
Spending the last few years of his life is a depressing little room, it’s very sad. Don’t these people have family? Most of them are men.
@castorchua Місяць тому
You notice Hong Kongers don't really indulge in that kind of vibe? They're too busy hustling and getting on with it. Even when the reporter tries to stir them up, they're like... yeah, I'm fine, situation normal.
@fluffyfeather39 22 дні тому
@@castorchua it is unfortunate that they dont have higher standards for theirselves
@castorchua 22 дні тому
@@fluffyfeather39 I've lived there. I would put to you that the average dude in a cage home is happier than a western pensioner sitting alone in a park waiting to die... even if he owns a big house. The size of the box you live in does not equate to quality of life. But to be fair, it's nice to have a bigger box.
@EnjoyingLife2024 Місяць тому
Coffin homes remind me of self storage units where I've seen some people reside in the USA. I happened upon a couple with a small child living in a storage unit during one of the hottest summer weeks in my city. Their baby was so lethargic, I thought the child would die from heat exhaustion. I asked them if I could help them and paid for them to stay a week in a nice hotel nearby. Once they were settled, I asked a social service contact to help them. There's a long waitlist in my city for affordable housing, but they got a place in a shelter because of the baby. It's terrible to see a similar situation happening in HK. 😢
@kiwigirljacks Місяць тому
You are very kind.
@rosiekapun207 Місяць тому
Thank you for helping. You quite possibly saved that baby's life.
@stevenhodgson4227 Місяць тому
I live in New Zealand and am from UK. In recent years I've stopped visiting UK, because there are so many young people, sometimes with kids, sleeping every night in shop doorways. I talked to a couple one night and was shocked to find they both had jobs, in fast food joints, but no contracts. They washed every morning at the facilities in the local railway station, until the locals complained so the mayor closed the public bathrooms. That was in Eastbourne, Sussex, South East England. I despise my home country, the Uk, where 5 million children are going hungry because of the recent government policies.
@BDortmund1 Місяць тому
When was the last time we’ve seen you Yonden? We need you to be more consistent. Don’t let your voice be outspoken. Keep Hong Kong alive.
@chthong5704 Місяць тому
Sze Lai Shan is the inspiration for people in Hong Kong..... selfless and just trying to do the best to help the under privilage... Well Done and Keep it up.
@Jedidiah12 Місяць тому
Who are the landlords renting these units out? What does the Fire department have to say about this?
@misterbig9025 Місяць тому
The landlords also have to pay high price for their properties. It was the Hong Kong government who sold the land at astronomical price.
@terenceyuen4424 Місяць тому
The fire dept. and the government turn a blind eye becuase if they shut these places down then there will be no places for lower income people to live.
@LXRY Місяць тому
Fire dept is part of the gov, who profits from not developing real estate
@goyam2981 Місяць тому
It's not about space. It's about design and maintenance.
@LoC28C Місяць тому
Don’t forget these landlords are also the ones who are doing all they can to stop affordable housing in Hong Kong so that they can increase their income and also maintain the value of their properties.
@oldtabrough1026 Місяць тому
@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1005">16:45</a>mins I totally agree with this gentleman. I'm from SE Asia, i remember they had these housing problems way back in 80s when I first saw a documentary on it. Honestly speaking, building homes to re-house 150k plus hongkongers can be done within 5 to 10 years. There is no need to wait for 26 years. It can be done, its whether how much politics and red-tape that is being played out.
@edwright480 Місяць тому
I saw it in the 70s and it was well established already.
@stickynorth Місяць тому
Hong Kong should build WAY WAY WAY more affordable public housing for the working and middle classes as a national priority project... Even Singapore knows what needs to be done...
@areebachewa8318 Місяць тому
Singaporean politicians they are brilliance to care for their people knowing housing is the most important asset for everyone to have to be able to live in comfort ...
@dlkm101 Місяць тому
What do you mean by “even Singapore knows what to be done”? Singapore government is pragmatic, brilliant and efficient. Of course Singapore knows what they need to do!
@canto_v12 Місяць тому
Singapore is a lot more socialist than Hong Kong, which is a prime example of insufficiently regulated capitalism.
@adolphsow607 Місяць тому
Yes, Singapore has hdb flats we get it, unfortunately we have greedy landlords and tycoons in hong kong here.. 🤭
@robocop581 Місяць тому
Meh. HDB owners are glorified renters as they only have 99 year leases. I'd rather take my chance to own a property outright so I can pass them on to my kids or sell my property at market price and spend it for my retirement.
@asagayaboy5481 Місяць тому
I just can't continue watching... Heartbreaking
@Loki-sk7bi Місяць тому
It’s a prison. Not a unit.
@theoakhills Місяць тому
the next lock down will be easy.
@SW-wf3gy Місяць тому
Thank you Yonden for this interview. Please keep this dialogue going. This is a very important topic.
@carson6097 Місяць тому
The issue is, is that the problem is NOT insurmountable, the government profits off land taxes, so they keep the price of land artificially high by not rebuilding or building on plots of land that don't have housing.
@JJ-iu6sr Місяць тому
Singaporeans who keep complaining about not being able to afford housing should watch this.
@MeiinUK Місяць тому
People are becoming socially psychotic as well.... Money is a tool. You use it to make it work for you. Not to use it to fight globally. 1 million people in Europe is a country already. They don't live like this. They literally help each other save resources and fight together. Not like this.... All of this "I will help"... But not helping is just... And most people seem to keep a lid on things to stop mass mania from occurring again... So why allow more people into the city ? This is why you have laws for.
@ycs754 Місяць тому
This is the shame of HK and an accurate reflection of the incompetence of the SAR government. This problem won’t go away just by staring at it and not taking any positive actions.
@sophiaso3264 Місяць тому
Thank you for producing this documentary! It is not just embarrassing, it’s utterly disgusting to live in such destitute conditions. Hope there is a strong and sustainable will to provide more humane housing to the underprivileged🙏
@clk76 Місяць тому
It's in the interest of the government and rich people to not build so fast and devalue existing real estate. If they can build a hospital in China in 2 weeks then they can build at least 100 buildings to house 100000 people in 4 years. Remember the government owns the land, Put it in the far north in the New Territories and if these people want it then they can live there. 300 sq ft for singles/couples and 500 sq ft for families which will seem huge compared to how they're living now
@LivingLonger Місяць тому
Hong Kong follow capitalist democracy. One Country, Two Systems is the optimal solution to problems carried over from history. It is the best policy for sustaining prosperity and stability following Hong Kong's return, and it provides the fundamental safeguard for the development of democracy in Hong Kong.
@_seola_ Місяць тому
@clk76 looks like u know nothing about HK "DEMOCRAZY", do you want it the Chinese way?, then fully integrate into the mainland, otherwise China can't do anything, since you want keep your colonial master's system!
@SprakanaKerum Місяць тому
They can't do it too fast. Beijing's only toe hold on the territory is through the business community, and it's exactly that community that has a stranglehold on real estate. Once Beijing steps on the interest of the landlords, it's afraid HK will slip from its grasp totally
@MeiinUK Місяць тому
They can change the interior to match those of the current highest level in the world. Google easy hotel. It's great. Google Tokyo capsule rooms. They are all a lot more comfortable anyway. So.... If people wanted to, they could. I feel like there are some kind of stuck ill feelings.... People are hurt. Either way.
@chongdi6140 Місяць тому
Are you a fiction creator?@@SprakanaKerum
@ephan30 Місяць тому
Disgrace. The hk government owns more than 90 percent of land but keeps housing at crazy prices to protect the rich. HK is a third world country period!
@robocop581 Місяць тому
We ain't all poor in HK Dufus
@daweigo6851 Місяць тому
Unitilgent comment.....
@bereal6590 Місяць тому
You on ow a nation by how they treat their poor vulnerable and sick. Clearly h.k government are corrupt
@potatopotatoeOG Місяць тому
The same thing in Zambia. The kind of student housing being built is horrid. There was a cholera outbreak and foreign students have died because housing isnt well regulated
@cobtreeusa Місяць тому
It is shameful. But my wife’s family lived in a small one room place back when I met her back in 1980 and she was already 19 years of age at that time. Nothing has changed
@zzplant6864 Місяць тому
Well done Yonden Lhatoo, thank you for the coverage ❤
@dogestcreature 18 днів тому
Sze Lai Shan is an amazing human being! Thank her and Yonden Lhatoo for shining a light on HK's darkest problem
@popocucu7749 Місяць тому
The problem in HKG started way before the handover to China. It's an accumulation problem due to capitalism where government sold lands on high price to developer. Hence in order to gain high profits to recover the cost, the developers will keep on launching premium project. It's different from Singapore although the government HDB prices are skyrocketing but it's still affordable comparing to HKG. Need government intervention here to build more public housing support.
@lifeisgood2542 Місяць тому
it's not affordable anymore in singapore! even for HDBs
@bellefoo Місяць тому
Really?
@jeffreychongsathien Місяць тому
The rich chose not to share the wealth. The politicians choose not to force the rich to share. That is all.
@christopherlaw9184 Місяць тому
Thank you for this video. It is an eye opener 😢
@aravearave Місяць тому
hongkong public housing is 40 years too late, 20-30 years ago it was a nice place to visit . my last visit about a year ago i felt that hk is really expensive place and i dont think i've enjoyed like the past previous visits. the living expenses are really expensive and crampy food places...
@tjr4459 Місяць тому
I can’t bare to imagine the smell in a place like that with so many people and little ventilation. Disgusting…
@jobturkey7418 Місяць тому
It does stink but I shudder what the smell would be like in Mexico and India. Especially India
@Lemmon714_ Місяць тому
I would live in one of those cages in Hong Kong than a house in India the most disgusting place on earth
@ammiliev9203 Місяць тому
Thank you the show and the lady for keep reminding the outside world that their are so many people who need help and support and we should live the ignorance life, be mindful and try our best to improve the society we are living in.
@theallybelly Місяць тому
This is heartbreaking to watch: people living in squalid cages with no hope of getting out of the situation. That’s just depressing. They would be better off living in mainland China.
@hc1897 Місяць тому
It's true, but the problem is having to make a living. A country with BOTH ample land supply and ample economic opportunity is called, I think, Paradise.
@antaeusguy Місяць тому
Thing is, they are very attached to their community. Their friends, family, usual places, community are what they seek comfort in. I doubt they want to move to mainland China. Hong Kong people have their own identity and don't associate themselves with mainland. Plus they are already at old age, moving out of country is going to be tough. As long as government gives them pension, they can live in Hong Kong city, despite squalid conditions, they are still okay, else they would have moved out already.
@ssuwandi3240 Місяць тому
Yes their children wouldn't care either . Otherwise these old homes should be sold off and get renovated
@livethiswayTV Місяць тому
@@hc1897 HK still has plenty of unused land, but they can't be bothered to develop it into housing, and they blame it on the land being hilly. We all know that's just an excuse.
@malthus101 Місяць тому
doubt it.
@elijahadams1997 Місяць тому
Thank you for bringing awareness and sharing
@florenceshen1555 Місяць тому
Thank you for bringing this dilapidated living for so many people in HongKong. I see the resilience in the people and also the despair. The government should be ashamed for not taking care of the residents. The living conditions are disgusting!
@user-bt3iz7vi7q Місяць тому
Thank you for making this video and speak up for the unfortunate. Hope the government will build more government housing to accommodate all needed very soon. 🙏✌️❤️
@afriend9428 Місяць тому
*These people are so strong and brave a lot of people in other countries would have given up or died so well done to these HK people* ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
@misterbig9025 Місяць тому
Those unhappy have left for Canada and UK
@indiastillnotoilets Місяць тому
@@misterbig9025LOL, but now they want to return to the motherland. All that glitter ain't gold after all 😂
@bladeqmaster Місяць тому
In mainland they have lots of vacant home. It is just no job there. But if all these people willing they can go there and creates local job. Starting with agriculture and goes up to sme businesses that can ship products to other places.
@reneedennis2011 Місяць тому
Yup.
@andychua5477 Місяць тому
Hong Kong had so many rich tycoon. If they’re willing to pool their resources together, all the housing problems will be resolved.
@rosebailey3537 Місяць тому
The rich tycoons want more money for themselves....they aren't about to help anyone but themselves
@castorchua Місяць тому
@@rosebailey3537 Busy buying Sydney and Vancouver
@louistan7560 Місяць тому
The British ruled Hong Kong for 100 years. What did they do for Hongkongers? Instead of looking after the people's interest, they colluded with Hong Kong property developers to keep land prices and property prices high. And where did the profit from land sales go? They were shipped to Britain. After the British "withdrawal" from Hong Kong Legco was dysfunctional; populated by developers' representatives and all attempts to build more public housing sabotaged by repeated impasse. With the internal security law now fully in-place and Legco "righted" to focus on the real needs of the people. Change is coming. New public housing and property laws are being amended to provide a more level playing field. It is a big disappointment that someone who has lived and worked in Hong Kong for decades and chief editor of the SCMP refuses to recognise this. His appearance in the video, his behaviour and the comments he uttered reflects the hypocrisy of his office.
@fargone2000 Місяць тому
Well, we will see.... But fully agree with what you said about the Brits
@Hkchinese888 Місяць тому
@@fargone2000 We miss British colonialism
@nebhalabir1201 Місяць тому
They have been gone for thirty years. Stop blaming them this is your fault
@Hkchinese888 Місяць тому
@@nebhalabir1201 our Chyna logic: the fault is not on my side
@LivingLonger Місяць тому
@@nebhalabir1201 They runaway after Hong Kong implemented national security law on June 30, 2020. what an ignorant
@HeyMJ. Місяць тому
Excellent reporting. Thank you 👍
@roxannebrown3061 Місяць тому
Thank you for sharing this.
@melginger3794 Місяць тому
Thank you Yonden
@naturedesignbc Місяць тому
Interesting, at least they are indoors, in Canada they would be living in a tent and many do.
@JohnWoo Місяць тому
Just being realistic. Without these landlords who subdivided their apartments, these people would be homeless on the street. There's just more demand than supply for housing, and these "slumlords" actually help solve part of the problem at least.
@wenling3487 Місяць тому
Happy that some hongkong media start to talk about it. It needs to be solved. We are all human, not animals.
@5canwalk 15 днів тому
Eye-opening, heart-breaking😢
@LowejaDogs Місяць тому
My worry aside from these awful disgraceful living conditions the Government seems not to care about would be fire. It will more than likely be a massive death rate from fire that will move the government to oust such housing. Its a wonder it hasnt happened yet, or has it. It really looks like a death trap these places. I do so feel for these people, its not right and inhuman to have people live like this.
@Lou58Lou Місяць тому
As seen in the above standard home they are charged per person to live there. When better homes are built will the people who live in these cage homes be able to afford these new homes? Or will they be forced to start living in tents and under bridges? And the more affluent citizens who have multiple homes will they step up and offer to house the elderly or families in the "extra" houses that they own? And what kind of idiot asks how much a 7 year old makes, do they expect her to work, and what kind of job do they expect her to do?
@karenavey2183 Місяць тому
My friend’s sister offered me a room no bigger than a broom closet for 800.00 Canadian. Lol
@agustinussiahaan6669 Місяць тому
How do they maintain the electrical system, plumbings, fire extinguisher, etc?
@jaycetse2956 Місяць тому
5000HKD??? Why don't they live in Shenzhen and take trains to HK on workdays, it would be cheaper.
@cim888 Місяць тому
I've been going to Hongkong for over 35 years. Hong Kong under UK rule achieved very little.. now they have a "democracy" yet many live in poverty. Citizens toxicity is at an all time high while nothing has really changed in regards to the infrastructures, ports, housing etc.. Tourism, music, movie, theme park and shopping industries once the leaders in Asia in a thriving city are no longer in the top 10 on any lists of Asia. Just look at Macau, they embraced their overlords and now live in surplus, prosperous lives. You either move forward and work together or get left behind. Ignore the West's media to divide you.
@daweigo6851 Місяць тому
Nothing do with the Western media, silly comment
@bereal6590 Місяць тому
You mistake democracy for what's effectively in name only. Democracy gives choice but leaders have to be held accountable! Choosing an overlord gives no choices
@kamilareeder1493 Місяць тому
She is so full of life ❤😊 I hope her life is full of blessings, I know she will share them.
@evatam4393 9 днів тому
Thank you Yonden Lhatoo for reporting Hong Kong appalling housing crisis to bring awareness and many thanks to social worker Sze Lai-shan to help these under privileged people to improve their living conditions.
@easternrazor3749 Місяць тому
All these were legacy left behind by the British. This is the price of capitalism. Someone made a fortune where the streets were lined with Rolls Royce and the published list of millionaires. This problem is easy to resolve if the local council and government controls rather than allow capitalist to control the government. Supply can be manipulated by the local council. Design, size of apartment, pricing and ownership can be under the control of the local council. Mind set needs to change instead of clinging on to the legacy of British rules, democracy etc. If Macau and Mainland China can do it, why is the tiny population in HK unable!!
@azureliteyahoo Місяць тому
They have better public housing in UK, far from perfect but still humane. HK is a leased land to grab money while they can.
@bereal6590 Місяць тому
Not capitalism, crisis capitalism. You don't seem to understand how things work in nations with democracy capitalism and equality
@npcimknot958 Місяць тому
Jfc this isn’t capitalism jfc..
@easternrazor3749 Місяць тому
@@npcimknot958 if not capitalism than what is it?
@ThePaulz80 Місяць тому
I could see China prefer take care seriously in Macau because of huge wealth compare to crampy HK.
@user-bb2nb5lj9j Місяць тому
This is so sad prayers sent
@Mini-Me Місяць тому
Thank you bringing awareness. IAM grateful for my happy 🏡.
@waftbut Місяць тому
Land Barons! The culprits responsible for housing hardship in Hong Kong.
@Vscounter Місяць тому
For Uncle Leung to have a decent conversation in English, I wonder what he used to do before he landed here.
@KJ_2020 Місяць тому
He's a Hong Konger?
@pauldwalker Місяць тому
HK people were educated in English and Cantonese.
@pauldwalker Місяць тому
@@KJ_2020 yes.
@cim888 Місяць тому
@@pauldwalker Most, certainly not all.. I know heaps that in the 50-60s that don't speak much English at all. In fact over the past few decades their Mandarin has vastly improved over English.
@gabriellafox7948 Місяць тому
Just wow😢🙏🏻Lord please protect these people & help this wonderful lady make progress!
@LeePearce-wq6pv Місяць тому
At least they have their friends and families for support. The ones making everyone live poorly are all plotting and scamming each other, even within their own families. Be grateful for your blessings in life.
@rodazi Місяць тому
Being one of the wealthiest cities in the world didn't make Hong Kong a nice place.
@jayque Місяць тому
Absolutely inhumane. Totally unacceptable. Who are the people that treated the people this way? How did the authorities approve for a space to be divided into 14 beds or coffin beds???!!!! Who made this possible. Arrest him and how can proper housing by 2049????? This should be solved maximum 1 year no more than 2 years!
@makanmata Місяць тому
Please explain how arresting those who built coffin homes will result in better housing for the people who live in them. In fact, the people who you want to arrest are doing more than the government to provide actual housing for these people, even if it doesn't meet your personal standards.
@jayque Місяць тому
@@makanmata makanmata where are you from?
@makanmata Місяць тому
@@jayque I don't know why that should matter but I asked you a question first, that you still haven't answered.
@jayque Місяць тому
@@makanmata Because you said something so astonishingly shocking I asked a sarcastic question where are you from? The living conditions is inhumane if you cannot understand this part something is clearly wrong with you and you went as far as to say the people should be grateful they even have coffin beds 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯Please go see a psychiatrist.
@LowejaDogs Місяць тому
@@jayque Well said.
@user-er3ri6sc3j Місяць тому
Born in Tsuen Wan 1971 now 50 miles west of Disneyworld in central Florida.
@franklopez2969 Місяць тому
Those situations occur all over the world. It's a hard life for some. I live in Los Angeles, behind my workplace people live in tents.
@leealex24 Місяць тому
Kindda foolish they ask a 7 year old girl her income.
@laurie113 Місяць тому
It’s disgusting
@jackytang3683 Місяць тому
Actually they can choose Shenzhen for living, 2800/month can rent a big room
@johnpatrickoldfield534 Місяць тому
It's difficult to make more space from less space that's why the blocks of flats are so tall/huge with many floors and small square meterage.
@monicaclark9581 Місяць тому
Sadly the trend is coming here to the USA. Already people are being conditioned to accept in living in "tiny homes" because affordable housing is becoming unattainable. And some politicians are patting themselves on the back because they provide free tents for the homeless living on sidewalks. It absolutely shameful.
@areebachewa8318 Місяць тому
Hong Kong need to implement housing that work and they need to follow Singapore how have done great for the low income family to have their own housing ...I think south china morning Post please contact CNA how Singapore have great policy for their housing and I hope this will solve their problem in housing for low income family and single people who needed it ....
@MMLL369 Місяць тому
A lot of the housing problems in Hong Kong as we see today are inherited from the long-expired land policies from the colonial era. (trust me, they are so deep rooted it's almost impossible to alter or revert, not without sever collateral damages to existing property owners.) I'm sure you are not navie enough to believe the British government REALLY care right? What Harris Lee has done to Singapore was genius! He abolished and/or altered much of the land use policies from the British era.
@areebachewa8318 Місяць тому
@@MMLL369 I think they care how much they can get from the rich Hong Kong people to do what they want where they get the money from the low income to have their cage room to profit from them ...
@daweigo6851 Місяць тому
Many people are paying of there properties in HK, what you suggest will sadly bankrupt them. Not so simple sadly
@90taetaeya Місяць тому
Singapore is a democratic country where the govt has to provide for its people.. Hong Kong is communist that doesn’t need to care. That’s the difference.
@EZ-rs5zv Місяць тому
This is the difference between the socialist system of China versus the unbridled capitalism of colonial Hong Kong. Socialism will try to provide for the poorest people while capitalism will let them fall through the cracks and suffer until they die.
@edwright480 Місяць тому
There are major differences between socialism and communism, one is about the people, the other is about the party. Also with any communism and dictatorships the military is always involved in the control of people.
@WenCrash Місяць тому
Meanwhile thousands of apartments sit empty in ghost cities.
@balsafarmers10 Місяць тому
I am not rich but my house in the Philippines has a 10x7x7f" bathroom, 1 - 10x16ft bedroom, and a kitchen with a store.. have a 5x5"cottage inside a 200 sqm lot beachfront... But someone told me that I am a filthy poor Filipino and knowing he has no own house. Lol. ... I hope the people here in HK who live in a coffin house will soon have their own better housing.
@joelfrombethlehem Місяць тому
As bad as this is, it is much an improvement over the American homeless problems.
@randyg4571 Місяць тому
Really? Many homeless in America, who are not in shelters, live outdoors. Not speaking for the homeless but I believe that because of what they were once used to, i doubt the homeless in America would accept a cage home since many even refuse communal shelters, All the while watching this video I was thinking " what if a fire". Homelessness and caged homes are both very sad situations.
@chivato72 Місяць тому
An average house size in the US is around 2000 sq ft., although the US homeless crisis is really bad you can’t in any way compared it with the housing situation in HK.
@theresamarie7679 Місяць тому
It would be better to homeless & breathe fresh air & be in nature camping out. 😢😢😢
@alphaomega1351 Місяць тому
How people procreate under such conditions is mind boggling. 🤔
@pmb6667 Місяць тому
I was thinking the same thing. also, that one guy with he daughter who was doing her homework.... He was **on a waiting list for housing for 15 years, starting when he was single!** Yet he decided to have a child during such times? I noticed that in such stories (poverty, homelessness, etc.), this never gets mentioned by anyone making these documentaries -- being in poverty, but yet choosing to have (more) kids during such times. I'd never bring a child into such poverty, lack and struggle. Even wild animals _ensure the environment is SAFE, SECURE and their offspring can be provided for first, BEFORE having them._ Why can't humans do that too? Billions in poverty and struggle, bringing more children into it. You don't try and 'figure it out' (as too many parents tend to say say) after the fact. That's a huge burden placed upon the babies/children that they shouldn't have. It's not their fault they were born and it is unfair to them.
@EyreEver Місяць тому
So, the problem is that the slumlord owners are not being charged with their crime. Whoever is charging rent for these is a criminal.
@cruiserandtraveller Місяць тому
What happen if there's fire 🔥..thats scary!
@hasifmail91 Місяць тому
Shameful, the people who take any money from them will be questioned on judgement day.
@daweigo6851 Місяць тому
Not that simple, silly comment, would you prefer them live on the streets? How would you fix it?
@johnpatrickoldfield534 Місяць тому
The cage beds is more for animals usually.
@bereal6590 Місяць тому
Tbf, I wouldn't keep a pet in a cage like that
@Paul-H-Wolfram6608 7 днів тому
@johnpatrickoldfield534 At least these people in cage beds in Hong Kong is far better off than those homeless american and british living in tents ⛺️⛺️⛺️ on sidewalks because these people has ⚡️🔌electricity and decent 🚽 toilet for them to use and fresh water for them to drink 💧🫖 and 🛀🚿shower which those homeless american and british living on the streets doesn't have. 😁😆🤣
@thennowforever47 Місяць тому
Sze is a example of what giving really is. If people knew how much giving feeds the soul their would be waiting lists of people wanting to help their fellow man. ❤
@reneedennis2011 Місяць тому
Wow! Great documentary! I read a photo essay years ago in The Guardian about these coffin homes. I remember thinking about a fire 🔥 starting in one of those buildings ... 😬
@theresachung703 Місяць тому
This is shocking
@Paul-H-Wolfram6608 7 днів тому
Shocking ? This is nothing compare to those homeless American and British living in tents ⛺️⛺️⛺️ on the sidewalks, at least these people in Hong Kong have⚡️🔌electricity and decent 🚽 toilet for them to use, fresh water for them to drink 💧🫖and 🚿🛀 shower. Those homeless American and British living in tents have to get their fresh water 💦 by collecting in plastic containers from public place like shopping malls and use public toilets to 🚽 and 🚿 shower and also they don't have electric supply to their tents where they live.
@lookman7047 Місяць тому
While in the West, these people will be homeless and probably also doing drugs because there aren't such housing choices. Though it's bad, it's still better than on the streets. 🤔 Since HK is under special administration law and HK people are known capitalistic, those landlords are being too greedy! I believe if Beijing has direct control, this housing problem will be solved within 5 years at the latest. 😅
@SometimeAgo65 Місяць тому
These are a pretty people. I feel so bad for people who have to live like this ❤
@aprilrain2011 Місяць тому
This is sad and shocking.
@erbiecool1125 Місяць тому
Just moved to Mainland. Got plenty of ghost towns.
@iwanagohome326 Місяць тому
That's Westoid propaganda. So called ghost towns have filled up quite sometime back. China built first, then later fill them up. Not like in the Western countries, there is no planning and when shortage happened, they either sleep in the streets or live in the slums
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