Problems and Statistics
Statistics:
There are around 90,000 Sub-Divided Flats in Hong Kong, with around 280,000 people living in these conditions, some of which include cage homes and small flats that are rented out of a bigger flat.
The Problem With Sub-Divided flats
"I’m still alive and yet I am already surrounded by four coffin planks!"
There are numerous problems with Sub-Divided flats. Socially, as a flat has only so many windows, the ventilation within may not be very ideal for residents, some have said that it is nearly impossible to breath. Due to the small space, people have trouble sitting up in those cage-homes, causing numerous health issues from the cage-homes problem. Economically, the rent for a small cage-home or sub-divided flat (120 sqft) is around 6500 Hong Kong Dollars per month. An extreme price given a small space. This is what keeps those people in poverty, they are not able to save money to escape that poverty.
Why is the HK Government still allowing Cagehomes?
Cagehomes are one of the only ways to keep people in poverty off the streets due to "Shortage of Land" in Hong Kong. The land shortage problem causes prices to skyrocket. Making even the smallest of flats cost a huge amount of money. As owners wanted to maximize profits, the HK Government allowed cage-homes.