Elderly in Hong Kong Face Housing Crisis

In Hong Kong, the elderly face increasingly dire conditions as 2024 is projected to be one of the hottest years on record, with temperatures frequently exceeding 32 degrees Celsius. Retired janitor Chun Loi, living in a cramped, windowless 50-square-foot flat, exemplifies the struggles of those residing in sub-divided units, which have proliferated in a city with soaring housing costs. Chun's unit costs about HK$2,000 (US$256) a month, and she has been waiting over six years for public housing, of which only 430,000 units are planned over the next decade. Experts warn that climate change exacerbates inequalities, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like the elderly in poorly ventilated homes. In response to the extreme heat, Hong Kong has implemented a three-tiered heat-stress warning system to protect outdoor workers, but construction delays are anticipated due to the ongoing heat warnings. The situation highlights the urgent need for improved living conditions and greater access to public housing for the city's most at-risk residents.