People living in 'shoe box' apartments in Hong Kong (China) face health risks

These older adults face many health risks, both physical and mental.

Even with two electric fans running, retired janitor Chun Loi, 84, sweats profusely in her windowless, stifling one-room apartment in Hong Kong’s sweltering summer. Her 5-square- ^meter room is divided by old planks from four other small rooms, commonly known as subdivided apartments, an inconvenient but affordable housing option common in one of the world’s most expensive housing markets.

Ms. Chun Loi shared: "I am tired and sweaty. But I don't like to sit in shopping malls, I just go there to eat or buy take-out food. I try to stay at home with the fan on and watch TV."

"There's nothing for air to go in and out, so even with the fans turned on, there's always the same air flow, neither going in nor out. So in places like this, it's important to have ventilation," said Lam Chiu-ying, an environmental activist in Hong Kong.

(Photo: Hong Kong Free Press)

Ms Chun’s Kowloon apartment rents for around HK$2,000 (US$260) a month. She has waited more than six years for public housing, but the opportunity seems to be out of her reach for much longer.

Hong Kong (China) is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive housing markets in the world, making affordable housing solutions for people like Ms. Chun harder to find and increasing waiting lists for public housing.

The 2021 census found that more than 200,000 people live in these "shoebox" spaces - nearly 1 in 50 people in Hong Kong (China).

Experts warn that 2024 is expected to be the hottest year on record, putting seniors like Chun who live in small, poorly ventilated apartments at even greater risk.

"The worst thing is that the airtight condition creates conditions for bacteria, pathogens and mould to grow, thus greatly affecting human health," Lam Chiu-ying added.

Climate change appears to be turning into a climate disaster for elderly people living in "shoebox" apartments in Hong Kong (China).

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/nguoi-song-trong-can-ho-hop-giay-o-hong-kong-trung-quoc-doi-mat-rui-ro-suc-khoe-172240828074032332.htm