Creating a second home for residents of Hong Kong’s subdivided flats
A proper kitchen, a washing machine and a table where children can do their homework – these are some of the bare necessities that people expect for their homes. But for many families living in subdivided flats in Hong Kong, that is unfortunately not the reality. People in subdivided flats – dwellings created by dividing an existing flat into several smaller units, usually around 50 to 100 sq ft…
In Hong Kong, many residents of subdivided flats live in cramped conditions with limited space for sleeping, storage, and daily activities. To address this housing issue, the Hong Kong government launched the Community Living Room programme, aiming to provide additional living space and opportunities for social interaction among residents. The DBS Foundation, the charity arm of Singapore-headquartered DBS Bank, co-funded a Community Living Room in the Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood, managed by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
The newly opened Community Living Room in Yau Ma Tei features a proper kitchen, bathrooms with shower facilities, self-service laundry rooms, a play area for children, a youth recreation area, and a health education space. The facility caters to the unique needs of residents, such as providing a halal kitchen for Muslim inhabitants.
Lily Chi, a resident living in a subdivided flat, shares her appreciation for the warm and home-like environment, as well as the comfortable kitchen and study room for her young son. Casniti, another resident who has lived in Hong Kong for 11 years, values the social opportunities the Community Living Room offers, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness.
Since its opening in January, over 600 residents have become members of the Yau Ma Tei Community Living Room, with plans to attract even more subdivided flat households in the future.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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