35 Facts About Cage Homes Hong Kong

The Origins of Cage Homes in Hong Kong

Cage homes, also known as "bedspace apartments," have a long history in Hong Kong. These tiny living spaces emerged as a response to a rapidly growing population and an influx of refugees.

1. Origin: Cage homes emerged in the 1950s as a response to the rapid population growth and influx of refugees from mainland China.
2. Definition: Cage homes are defined by the Hong Kong government as "bedspace apartments," which are flats with 12 or more bedspaces occupied or intended to be occupied under rental agreements.
3. Population: At their peak, there were over 500 to 600 cage homes in Hong Kong. Today, there are still nearly 100 of them, with thousands of cubicle houses similar to cage homes.

Living Conditions in Cage Homes

The living conditions in cage homes are often described as inhumane. Despite their small size, these spaces are expensive and lack basic amenities.

4. Residents: Approximately 100,000 people live in inadequate housing, including cage homes and cubicle houses.
5. Size: The average cage home is about 16 square feet, roughly the size of a dog pen. Residents often have to crawl through a small entrance to get in and out.
6. Cost: Despite their small size, cage homes can be expensive, with rents ranging from $170 to $190 USD per month. This makes them more expensive than many posh apartments in Hong Kong.
7. Conditions: The conditions in cage homes are often described as inhumane. They lack basic amenities like smoke detectors and fire alarms, and residents often share a single electrical outlet.
8. Hygiene: The lack of regular cleaning and poor ventilation makes cage homes a breeding ground for insects and bacteria, leading to health issues.
9. Overcrowding: Many cage homes are overcrowded, with multiple families sharing a single flat. This can lead to noise pollution and further exacerbate health issues.
10. Fire Safety: Despite the risks, fire safety regulations are often inadequate. The Bedspace Apartments Ordinance of 1998 only addressed fire safety and sanitation issues, not the living spaces themselves.

Government and Regulation

The Hong Kong government has made some attempts to regulate cage homes, but these efforts have often fallen short.

11. Government Recognition: The Hong Kong government officially recognizes cage homes under the label "bedspace apartments," but this does not improve the living conditions.
12. History: The influx of refugees from mainland China in the 1950s created a strong demand for low-cost bed space apartments. The government had no housing and labor protection policies for these workers, leading to the development of cage homes.
13. Refugee Impact: Many single men arrived in Hong Kong with hardly any possessions and worked as coolies. They rented 3 ft. x 6 ft. bedspaces and shared kitchens and toilets with tens of households.
14. Profit Motive: Apartment operators used iron cages to construct bunk beds to maximize profit. This practice led to the coining of the term "cage home".
15. Regulation: The Bedspace Apartments Ordinance of 1998 aimed to regulate cage homes but focused primarily on fire safety and sanitation, not the living conditions.

Current Status and Challenges

Despite efforts to address the issue, cage homes remain a significant problem in Hong Kong. Thousands of people continue to live in these conditions.

16. Current Status: Despite efforts to address the issue, there are still nearly 100 cage homes in Hong Kong. Thousands of people continue to live in these conditions.
17. Poverty: The existence of cage homes is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted inequality in Hong Kong's housing network. Despite being one of the wealthiest cities in Asia, many residents live in poverty.
18. Public Housing: The Hong Kong government has built public housing estates, but the demand far exceeds the supply. This has led to a significant shortage of affordable housing.
19. Affordability Crisis: The housing market in Hong Kong is the most expensive in the world. It would take 23.2 years for someone earning the median gross household income to afford a median-priced apartment.
20. Social Mobility: The lack of affordable housing has severe consequences for social mobility. Youths raised in cage homes often see little to no prospects for improving their living conditions.
21. Retirees: Retirees living in cage homes face additional challenges, including meager benefits and limited medical support. The ongoing pandemic has exacerbated these issues.

Health and Community Impact

The unsanitary conditions in cage homes pose significant health risks. Various organizations and political figures have highlighted the need for better living conditions.

22. Health Risks: The unsanitary conditions in cage homes pose significant health risks. Residents often suffer from respiratory problems and other diseases due to the poor air quality and lack of basic amenities.
23. Community Response: Organizations like the Society for Community Organisation (SCO) work with homeless individuals to improve their living conditions. However, these efforts are often insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
24. Political Response: The issue of cage homes has been a point of contention in Hong Kong's political landscape. Advocates for universal suffrage argue that addressing housing inequality is crucial for maintaining democratic values.
25. Emily Lau's Perspective: Emily Lau, chairwoman of the Democratic Party in Hong Kong, emphasizes the need for concrete solutions to address housing inequality. She argues that freedom and respect are fundamental principles in Hong Kong, but these values are compromised by the existence of cage homes.

Cultural and Media Representation

The existence of cage homes has cultural implications and has been covered extensively in the media.

26. Cultural Impact: The existence of cage homes has cultural implications. Some argue that the normalization of such living conditions reflects a broader complacency in Hong Kong society.
27. Media Representation: Media coverage of cage homes often highlights the stark contrast between the wealth of Hong Kong and the poverty of its residents. However, some critics argue that this coverage can be superficial and fail to provide a full representation of the issue.
28. UN Criticism: The United Nations has criticized the squalid conditions of cage homes, describing them as an insult to human dignity.

Economic and Historical Context

Various economic and historical factors have contributed to the housing crisis in Hong Kong.

29. Economic Factors: The high cost of living in Hong Kong, combined with low wages, makes it difficult for many residents to afford decent housing. This is particularly true for workers in low-paying jobs who constitute a significant portion of the city's workforce.
30. Historical Context: The Small House Policy implemented by the British colonial administration in 1972 has been criticized for constricting the supply of developable lands for non-indigenous residents. This policy has contributed to the current housing crisis.
31. Government Surplus: Despite having a HK$92 billion surplus and fiscal reserves worth HK$860 billion, the Hong Kong government has struggled to address the housing crisis effectively.
32. Disparities in Development: The poorest 10% of Hong Kong's population earn an average of HK$2,600 (approximately S$450) per month, highlighting the significant disparities in development within the city.

Personal Stories and Future Prospects

The stories of those living in cage homes are poignant and highlight the need for comprehensive solutions to the housing crisis.

33. Cage Home Culture: Some facilities have even adopted the design of cage homes as a form of "authentically Hong Kong" accommodation, sparking backlash and highlighting the normalization of such living conditions.
34. Personal Stories: Residents of cage homes share poignant stories of struggle and resilience. For example, Michael, a 70-year-old former security guard, lives in a 300 sq ft flat with 20 other men. His story reflects the broader issue of aging residents struggling to find affordable housing.
35. Future Prospects: Addressing the housing crisis in Hong Kong requires a multifaceted approach that includes increasing the supply of affordable housing, improving living conditions in existing cage homes, and addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality. Until then, thousands of people will continue to live in these unsanitary and inhumane conditions.

Addressing the Housing Crisis

Cage homes in Hong Kong highlight a severe housing crisis. Despite the city's wealth, thousands live in cramped, unsanitary conditions. These tiny spaces, often just 16 square feet, lack basic amenities and pose significant health risks. High rents and overcrowding make the situation worse. Efforts to regulate these homes have fallen short, focusing mainly on fire safety rather than improving living conditions. The demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply, leaving many with no choice but to live in these inhumane conditions. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach: increasing affordable housing, improving existing conditions, and tackling the root causes of poverty. Until then, the stark contrast between Hong Kong's wealth and the poverty of its residents will persist, reminding us of the urgent need for change.