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Hong Kong's poor live in homes smaller than prison cells

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Living Space - Level 0

Many poor people in Hong Kong live in tiny homes. Some homes are smaller than prison cells. The average space was 4.6 square meters per person. This is half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a prison cell is 50 per cent bigger than the size of the homes. Many Hong Kong families live in very small homes.

Hong Kong has some of the world's most expensive homes. People must save for 18 years to buy a place. People are unhappy. One person said it was "unacceptable and inhumane" that homes are smaller than prison cells in a rich city like Hong Kong. Another person said her toilet is so small that she has to sit sideways.

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Living Space - Level 1

A study shows many poor people in Hong Kong live in tiny homes. A housing group found that some families live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The average space was 4.6 square meters per person. This is about half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a prison cell in Hong Kong is 50 per cent bigger than the size of the homes in the study. Over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that are between 7 and 14 square meters.

Hong Kong has some of the world's most expensive homes. People must save for 18 years to buy a tiny place. People are very unhappy living in such small homes. One person said it was "unacceptable and inhumane" that homes are the same size as prison cells in a rich city like Hong Kong. Another person said her house only had a bed, a closet and a small table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go to the toilet."

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Living Space - Level 2

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A new study shows there are poor people in Hong Kong who live in tiny homes. A housing group found that 204 families in one area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The average space per person was 4.6 square meters. This is about the size of three toilet cubicles, or half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a cell for Hong Kong's maximum security prisoners is 50 per cent bigger than the size of the homes in the study. A 2016 report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that are between 7 and 14 square meters.

Hong Kong has some of the world's most expensive homes. An average person has to save for 18 years to buy a tiny home. A member of the housing group told reporters how unhappy people are about living in such small homes. He said: "It is completely unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a prosperous city like Hong Kong." Another resident said the tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son only has a bed, a closet and a small table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go to the toilet."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Living Space - Level 3

A new study shows that some poor people in Hong Kong live in tiny homes. Residents from a housing alliance found that 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The families live in the Kwai Chung area of Hong Kong. The average living space per person was just 4.6 square meters. This is roughly the size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum security prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that range between 7 and 14 square meters.

Hong Kong has one of the world's most expensive housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian' newspaper said an average resident would have to save for more than 18 years in order to pay for a tiny home. A member of the Kwai Chung housing alliance told reporters about how unhappy people are about living in such a small home. He said: "It is completely unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a prosperous city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could only afford a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk bed, a closet and a small folding table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go to the toilet."

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