The grim reality of life in Hong Kong’s ‘coffin homes’ | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo

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  • Опубликовано: 28 янв 2025

Комментарии • 1,5 тыс.

  • @rcristy
    @rcristy 10 месяцев назад +632

    That lady who finds shelter for the homeless is a wonderful example of humanity.💐💕☮️🙏

    • @Christmas-dg5xc
      @Christmas-dg5xc 9 месяцев назад +11

      Beautiful lady.

    • @miloo3969
      @miloo3969 9 месяцев назад +7

      Bless her ❤❤❤❤

    • @nonino1644
      @nonino1644 9 месяцев назад +5

      🙏🏽 Yes she is and she is vivacious and she is

    • @worldview730
      @worldview730 8 месяцев назад +6

      Horrifying, Like caged animals in a Kennel, such a huge gap between the rich & poor

    • @AndyMetz-x6q
      @AndyMetz-x6q 7 месяцев назад +1

      Communism in action

  • @devinl8487
    @devinl8487 10 месяцев назад +486

    Sze Lai-shan is an inspiration. She doesn't care about money or fame. She just wants to help these poor people and give them hope.

    • @makanmata
      @makanmata 10 месяцев назад +9

      Will she be helping poor people by making their housing illegal? What is the alternative to "coffin houses?" Whatever one thinks about coffin houses, living on the street is much worse.

    • @jobturkey7418
      @jobturkey7418 10 месяцев назад +4

      Chinede vs Singaporean culture very diffrent. Chinese can be very warm but look other way if they are doing well they don’t care about the poor

    • @short_87-om
      @short_87-om 10 месяцев назад +2

      Brahmasthala(Beijing), Chakradhar(Chengdu) and so on ,all these cities and their state(province)are integral part of india

    • @queenofthebutterflies5212
      @queenofthebutterflies5212 9 месяцев назад +3

      She is an angel.

    • @LilStoops
      @LilStoops 9 месяцев назад

      @@jobturkey7418 Lol, Kiasu much!

  • @Luminousplayer
    @Luminousplayer 10 месяцев назад +476

    the guy that is 80 yo actually looks amazing for the age

    • @joebidet2050
      @joebidet2050 10 месяцев назад +24

      Agree thought 65 or so

    • @Wooplot
      @Wooplot 10 месяцев назад

      Asian don't raisin.

    • @jeromeburdine966
      @jeromeburdine966 10 месяцев назад +27

      As the saying goes, "Asians don't raisin."

    • @danielzboy
      @danielzboy 9 месяцев назад +15

      Yeah seriously he still has so much hair, and they are mostly grey, barely any white. He really does look like he's only in his 60s or 70s

    • @IARRCSim
      @IARRCSim 9 месяцев назад +2

      Living in tiny spaces might be the fountain of youth.

  • @jacobrocks7
    @jacobrocks7 10 месяцев назад +210

    HK is a city of extremes. Simply too dense and wages are too low..cage homes are absolutely disgusting way to live for humans. That social worker is an angel

    • @queenofthebutterflies5212
      @queenofthebutterflies5212 9 месяцев назад +13

      Redistribution of wealth is the answer. Tax the rich! (imo)

    • @KittensgiveMorbogas
      @KittensgiveMorbogas 9 месяцев назад +3

      @@queenofthebutterflies5212so take my money, money that I worked hard for, and give it people who didn’t earn it? That’s utterly ridiculous, and a path to economic collapse. You don’t know what you’re talking about, clearly.

    • @queenofthebutterflies5212
      @queenofthebutterflies5212 9 месяцев назад

      @@KittensgiveMorbogas So you think you deserve to live comfortably and those people deserve to live in coffin homes? You, sir, deserve to be taxed for that! Lol

    • @sayjay26
      @sayjay26 9 месяцев назад +1

      The same can be said here, we have Skid Row in Los Angeles and Homeless Encampments springing up around the country.

    • @MisfitTina
      @MisfitTina 7 месяцев назад

      @@queenofthebutterflies5212so I work hard and I have to support someone dude. NO! That’s called Marxism and it’s never worked ever!

  • @18000rpm
    @18000rpm 10 месяцев назад +786

    Singapore has similar population as Hong Kong, similar land size, similar income level, but 85% of Singaporeans own their government built housing, and ZERO persons live in coffin or cage homes. HK's government just does not care for their poor.

    • @nanahuang.
      @nanahuang. 10 месяцев назад +89

      They never had a leader like LKY

    • @agymayachelonia8381
      @agymayachelonia8381 10 месяцев назад +78

      Not own. It's a 99 year lease, after which no one knows what will happen. Waiting to see what the SG govt will do.

    • @gener8423
      @gener8423 10 месяцев назад +164

      @@agymayachelonia8381 I'll take the 99 year lease anytime, rather than not owning anything.

    • @mmfong297
      @mmfong297 10 месяцев назад +67

      Could it be because Singapore politicians and housing developers are less greedy and less selfish? I been inside Singapore's HDB before.. it's quite nice and spacious

    • @pmhwong
      @pmhwong 10 месяцев назад +63

      Singapore's land is largely flat, where as Hong Kong has lots of mountains, hills, and bumps.
      Hence, the vast variety of hiking trails which people enjoy, which Singapore lacks.
      If Hong Kong were as flat as Singapore, housing would be much less of the problem it is now.
      Auctioning of land is another major factor that contributes to the high costs, but let's not get into that here.

  • @mandy.austin
    @mandy.austin 9 месяцев назад +119

    My father investigated these coffin homes when he worked for RTHK in the 70's. From what I remember ( long time ago) , the big issue back then was that people were unable to pay for aged care so they would put them into these cage homes and leave them there to die. He was quite shaken by what he saw.It's a disgrace, an embarrassment is not putting it strongly enough. Well done, Sze Lai-Shan! Most people don't seem to care.#scmp #TalkingPostwithYondenLhatoo

    • @LK-dx2oq
      @LK-dx2oq 9 месяцев назад +5

      I can’t believe they don’t have a kitchen to share. That is not a kitchen!!!

    • @quitaulla1569
      @quitaulla1569 5 месяцев назад +1

      What a terrible story! Not taking care of your loved elders. 😮

    • @mandy.austin
      @mandy.austin 5 месяцев назад

      @@quitaulla1569 a lot of poor hongkongers live in tiny, overcrowded spaces. A family of 4 might live in 200 square feet and earn extremely low wages. Poverty is the cause of it all.

  • @Johnnybananass-_
    @Johnnybananass-_ 7 месяцев назад +14

    i love how the interviewer has such respect for each person and never speaks down about their homes

  • @shaun_seow
    @shaun_seow 10 месяцев назад +207

    My Hong Kong ex-colleague once told me HK people like to stay out late after work as much as possible to delay going back to their chicken coops housing. One of the reasons why their nightlife is bustling.

    • @MeiinUK
      @MeiinUK 10 месяцев назад +13

      It's true... cos it is a hot climate kind of place... and they don't necesarily have the air con inside their rooms. So they might just die in them.. to avoid that, they sit outside... and stay outside instead. Some people live and sleep in the local park marble benches cos it is cool and it is nice ?...

    • @reneedennis2011
      @reneedennis2011 9 месяцев назад +2

      😮

    • @sandie683
      @sandie683 9 месяцев назад +12

      Sad and thank you for this video. Landlords are ruthless with greed in HK.

    • @MbisonBalrog
      @MbisonBalrog 9 месяцев назад

      I humidity also cools down a lot at night.

    • @soxpeewee
      @soxpeewee 9 месяцев назад +2

      I imagine a lot of people work multiple jobs also

  • @stephiegiselle
    @stephiegiselle 9 месяцев назад +52

    Sze Lai-shan is my shero!!!!! Amazing but thankless work! This is her love language. She has a heart for humanity.

    • @enybcbc-wx3zd
      @enybcbc-wx3zd 2 месяца назад

      She doing it for seat at parlement

    • @hengyipfong6799
      @hengyipfong6799 2 месяца назад

      @@enybcbc-wx3zd Is she a politician?

    • @enybcbc-wx3zd
      @enybcbc-wx3zd 2 месяца назад

      @hengyipfong6799 she is

  • @peng7211
    @peng7211 10 месяцев назад +125

    I truely feel the pain for these people and truely appreciate what the editor is doing for exposing the real issues for Hong Kong Chinese people.

    • @JamesEvans-yn9hh
      @JamesEvans-yn9hh 10 месяцев назад

      it's because of the British and their ways, they are like this also, they are to blame but their country even royals are falling and cancer of them proves it @mmfong297 they are the cause of war including in Middle East still

  • @chthong5704
    @chthong5704 9 месяцев назад +15

    Sze Lai Shan is the inspiration for people in Hong Kong..... selfless and just trying to do the best to help the under privilage... Well Done and Keep it up.

  • @kiwigirljacks
    @kiwigirljacks 10 месяцев назад +149

    I think I’d rather be on the street than live in one of those coffin homes. My claustrophobia would be too much to stand! Whole situation is so sad.

    • @SagittarianArrows
      @SagittarianArrows 10 месяцев назад +20

      So you say. Try living on the streets first. As an elderly person in HK where there is little social security from the ex-British govt you would welcome a roof to be dry from typhoon season!

    • @annetoronto5474
      @annetoronto5474 9 месяцев назад +7

      No one should be living on the streets, but the problem is some people can’t be trusted to live with others. Drug addiction, mental illness, and criminal behaviour makes some individuals unable to live with others. All these people living in tents on the streets have family members who have extra room in their homes, but you can’t have your stuff stolen or busted up because of addiction and bad behaviour.

    • @thennowforever47
      @thennowforever47 9 месяцев назад +6

      Agreed. Their would be a minute pause before I'd run out. Not ok😢

    • @MisfitTina
      @MisfitTina 7 месяцев назад +2

      Oh my gosh me too. I would have a panic attack!

    • @MisfitTina
      @MisfitTina 7 месяцев назад +2

      @@SagittarianArrowssome of us are severely claustrophobic. We could not live like that. I’d rather die than live like that. I wouldn’t last a minute before I’d have a severe panic attack.

  • @Sophiamsso
    @Sophiamsso 9 месяцев назад +29

    Thank you for producing this documentary! It is not just embarrassing, it’s utterly disgusting to live in such destitute conditions. Hope there is a strong and sustainable will to provide more humane housing to the underprivileged🙏

  • @briankelly85
    @briankelly85 9 месяцев назад +194

    I will never complain about my 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan ever again.

    • @diemcarl5546
      @diemcarl5546 9 месяцев назад +7

      😂

    • @rojosik9385
      @rojosik9385 8 месяцев назад +2

      but your income much greater than what they have

    • @mickgatz214
      @mickgatz214 7 месяцев назад +1

      Cheaper to heat 'n cool. 😜
      1 bd as well, but I only heat the lounge (29Deg C), it's like summm,er and sumtimes get too hot, so I put A/C on to keep a suitable temperature...cheers👍

    • @MisfitTina
      @MisfitTina 7 месяцев назад +3

      Right? This is inhumane! I am so claustrophobic I would freak out! My apartment is 725 square feet so I’m blessed!

    • @anthonydowling3356
      @anthonydowling3356 7 месяцев назад +2

      Same here with my 20 sqm studio in Dublin .It is owned by the Council so the rent is just 15% of what i receive as a pension .Those poor people in cages seemed to pay up to 50% of their wages/benefits in rent .I have been to HK as a tourist and the extreme heat is another problem.

  • @oileengrace8228
    @oileengrace8228 10 месяцев назад +35

    Thank you MIss Sze for your years of hard work for the people of HK. 🙏

  • @tektako
    @tektako 10 месяцев назад +90

    Every society’s ‘prosperity’ should be measured by the standard and quality of living that prevails for the absolute bottom rung of society.

    • @sophieschoices9663
      @sophieschoices9663 9 месяцев назад +2

      Completely agree!

    • @tektako
      @tektako 8 месяцев назад +1

      @kali542 nobody needs to ‘trade places’, the bottom rung just needs yo be raised up.

    • @tektako
      @tektako 8 месяцев назад +2

      @kali542 the POINT is its not a zero sum game - improving the lot of those on the bottom does NOT mean losing anything at the top. Money is a fiction, at this point its just some numbers on a screen. Abject poverty and economic inequity breed squalor and crime which are to the detriment of all.

  • @JS-rm2ws
    @JS-rm2ws 10 месяцев назад +119

    This problem exists here in London too, but not on this scale (it's not quite as bad). It isn't due to a shortage of housing. It's due to greed and too many landlords. Buy only 1 home, the one you need to live in, and this problem wouldn't exist

    • @tektako
      @tektako 10 месяцев назад +12

      Not everyone can afford even ONE home so that’s not the solution. What SHOULD happen is that shoebox squalor be outlawed. Development approval should be refused for any residential project that doesn’t guarantee occupant has a minimum square metres of living space, non-shared kitchen/bathing/toilet facilities. I dont know what the number would be but there is a minimim standard required for basic human mental/physical health. We know what proper furniture looks like and the size of the average human so at a bare minimum if you can’t fit a normal bed, couch, dining setting etc then its too fckg small. Natural light, a window. Not that complicated. So long as half of humanity is still below this standard it doesn’t matter how ‘well’ anyone else is doing.

    • @JS-rm2ws
      @JS-rm2ws 10 месяцев назад +18

      @@tektako most people cannot afford one home because property prices have been inflated due to rampant house price speculation. That is caused by landlords and investors buying multiple properties each. The more buying that goes on in a market (any market) pushes up prices. Think about it. It's really not complex. And when these wealthy landlords and investors have bought up most of the homes, what's left for everyone else? This last point is what causes even further house price inflation. Yep, like I said the problem is greed, landlords, & investors

    • @tektako
      @tektako 10 месяцев назад +1

      @@JS-rm2ws i see you haven’t absorbed a thing of what ive said

    • @JS-rm2ws
      @JS-rm2ws 10 месяцев назад +3

      @tektako I addressed the first point you made

    • @Alpffine
      @Alpffine 10 месяцев назад

      Greed? The HMO landlords if anything, the shared accomodation they provide alleviate the housing shortage since it increases the housing supply by housing multiple tenants in one home. Also, London has legal standards of minimum living space for each tenant, it's not remotely the same as the "bedsit rental" in Hong Kong.

  • @SW-wf3gy
    @SW-wf3gy 9 месяцев назад +9

    Thank you Yonden for this interview. Please keep this dialogue going. This is a very important topic.

  • @lilaaxd
    @lilaaxd 10 месяцев назад +31

    The opening broken my heart already ~~ "How many years of life do I have left..." ~~ the situation is heartbreaking 💔

    • @annetoronto5474
      @annetoronto5474 9 месяцев назад +1

      Spending the last few years of his life is a depressing little room, it’s very sad. Don’t these people have family? Most of them are men.

    • @CastorRabbit
      @CastorRabbit 9 месяцев назад

      You notice Hong Kongers don't really indulge in that kind of vibe? They're too busy hustling and getting on with it. Even when the reporter tries to stir them up, they're like... yeah, I'm fine, situation normal.

    • @fluffyfeather39
      @fluffyfeather39 9 месяцев назад

      @@CastorRabbit it is unfortunate that they dont have higher standards for theirselves

    • @CastorRabbit
      @CastorRabbit 9 месяцев назад

      @@fluffyfeather39 I've lived there. I would put to you that the average dude in a cage home is happier than a western pensioner sitting alone in a park waiting to die... even if he owns a big house. The size of the box you live in does not equate to quality of life.
      But to be fair, it's nice to have a bigger box.

  • @18000rpm
    @18000rpm 10 месяцев назад +62

    If I were the HK government I'd tell the billionaire property developers - for every new luxury apartment you build, you need to build or pay for one low cost government housing. The problem will be solved in 5 years.

    • @CastorRabbit
      @CastorRabbit 9 месяцев назад +6

      If I were the Hong Kong government I'd just let them build.

    • @adventure953
      @adventure953 9 месяцев назад +2

      They will be lobbying not to build public housing to bring down their private property price....🤣. So the younger gen will buy their private home still.

    • @botmoderator3405
      @botmoderator3405 9 месяцев назад +2

      I wonder if that worked for New York?

    • @firehorse9996
      @firehorse9996 8 месяцев назад +4

      This is the law in France. The housing shortage in Paris is horrendous. The city has been completely built out for hundreds of years and high-rises are not welcome, as they are in London. But rather than create 20% social housing, these rich developers just pay a hefty fine to the city and still never provide the housing. They don't want regular working class people mingling with all the wealthy buyers.

  • @sssfff
    @sssfff 10 месяцев назад +38

    Uncle Leung was communicating in English at the beginning of the interview. He must be highly educated. Wonder if anyone knows his background. Might be a professional or has been abroad.

    • @gen24677
      @gen24677 7 месяцев назад +1

      I visited Hong Kong in the past and people there spoke English sometimes.

  • @user-ze7pj6wo5o
    @user-ze7pj6wo5o 10 месяцев назад +391

    Those cage homes existed since Hong Kong was still under British rule. Imagine that.

    • @areebachewa8318
      @areebachewa8318 10 месяцев назад +38

      Where the Hongkie people trust their colony ...

    • @rlvedhzl3743
      @rlvedhzl3743 10 месяцев назад

      When imperialism was moving ppl from hillside huts to multi storey buildings for more than 20 years, our beloved government leaded by local elites just turned a blind eye and legalized these horrible living conditions. Wow what a heaven it has been after handover!

    • @jessieh867
      @jessieh867 10 месяцев назад +24

      Such an old unsolved social problem for many decades 😶

    • @vincentng2392
      @vincentng2392 10 месяцев назад

      Chinese rule failed to deal with it for more than 26 years.

    • @NEAAFFAIRS
      @NEAAFFAIRS 10 месяцев назад

      So why do they trust the British but not the chinese government?

  • @GoLeafszGo
    @GoLeafszGo 10 месяцев назад +213

    There is so much mountainous land in HK, unfortunately, the HK government doesn't want to touch that land to keep land prices high with the short supply. - From HK

    • @andia968
      @andia968 10 месяцев назад +54

      mountaineous land is not a problem . it can be demolished,bulldozed,flattened ,albeit, costlier .
      It is probably because they dont want to offend existing property owners and investors (tycoons included) because doing so will decrease property prices

    • @MMLL369
      @MMLL369 10 месяцев назад +11

      What you need to consider is the fact that, Hong Kong is a "duty free port" and a city with one of the lowest income tax. Where else could the government get money from? Do you want the government to slap on a 20% VAT/GST?

    • @christopherchen6170
      @christopherchen6170 10 месяцев назад

      no the govt wants to touch those land its the enviromentalists and the developeres and the people who owns housing already that dont want it touched

    • @stickynorth
      @stickynorth 10 месяцев назад +20

      @@andia968 Bingo! Same reason Vancouver is unaffordable... The supply is kept low on purpose so land and property owners can squeeze profits from every single soul there... I unlike everyone in my university graduating class avoid the city like the dystopian nightmare that it is... Alberta is superior in almost every way... Except politically.. Wingnut premier of Alberta takes us back like 90 years...

    • @Eric-lx8hp
      @Eric-lx8hp 10 месяцев назад +3

      Those Albertan governments put their people first it's a reason so many young people are moving there

  • @BDortmund1
    @BDortmund1 10 месяцев назад +19

    When was the last time we’ve seen you Yonden? We need you to be more consistent. Don’t let your voice be outspoken. Keep Hong Kong alive.

  • @AlibraRabbit
    @AlibraRabbit 8 месяцев назад +5

    I truly respect Sze immensely. She is an great example of what a humanitarian is. Bless her ❤❤❤

  • @christopherlaw9184
    @christopherlaw9184 10 месяцев назад +11

    Thank you for this video. It is an eye opener 😢

  • @suzeelewis718
    @suzeelewis718 10 месяцев назад +58

    What a beautiful wonderful woman!! Thank the Lord for this lady 🙏🏼❤️

  • @EnjoyingLife2025AD
    @EnjoyingLife2025AD 10 месяцев назад +93

    Coffin homes remind me of self storage units where I've seen some people reside in the USA. I happened upon a couple with a small child living in a storage unit during one of the hottest summer weeks in my city. Their baby was so lethargic, I thought the child would die from heat exhaustion. I asked them if I could help them and paid for them to stay a week in a nice hotel nearby. Once they were settled, I asked a social service contact to help them. There's a long waitlist in my city for affordable housing, but they got a place in a shelter because of the baby. It's terrible to see a similar situation happening in HK. 😢

    • @kiwigirljacks
      @kiwigirljacks 10 месяцев назад +12

      You are very kind.

    • @rosiekapun207
      @rosiekapun207 10 месяцев назад +13

      Thank you for helping. You quite possibly saved that baby's life.

    • @stevenhodgson4227
      @stevenhodgson4227 9 месяцев назад +6

      I live in New Zealand and am from UK. In recent years I've stopped visiting UK, because there are so many young people, sometimes with kids, sleeping every night in shop doorways. I talked to a couple one night and was shocked to find they both had jobs, in fast food joints, but no contracts. They washed every morning at the facilities in the local railway station, until the locals complained so the mayor closed the public bathrooms. That was in Eastbourne, Sussex, South East England. I despise my home country, the Uk, where 5 million children are going hungry because of the recent government policies.

  • @dogestcreature
    @dogestcreature 9 месяцев назад +4

    Sze Lai Shan is an amazing human being! Thank her and Yonden Lhatoo for shining a light on HK's darkest problem

  • @mingyuhuang8944
    @mingyuhuang8944 3 месяца назад +1

    anything with Yonden Lhatoo is great ❤

  • @rodazi
    @rodazi 9 месяцев назад +11

    Being one of the wealthiest cities in the world didn't make Hong Kong a nice place.

  • @oldtabrough1026
    @oldtabrough1026 10 месяцев назад +22

    @16:45mins I totally agree with this gentleman. I'm from SE Asia, i remember they had these housing problems way back in 80s when I first saw a documentary on it. Honestly speaking, building homes to re-house 150k plus hongkongers can be done within 5 to 10 years. There is no need to wait for 26 years. It can be done, its whether how much politics and red-tape that is being played out.

    • @edwright480
      @edwright480 10 месяцев назад +2

      I saw it in the 70s and it was well established already.

    • @Big_Blue_Monkey
      @Big_Blue_Monkey 5 месяцев назад

      Coffin homes have been around in Hong Kong since the 50's, it's just gotten worse over the years.

  • @asagayaboy5481
    @asagayaboy5481 10 месяцев назад +19

    I just can't continue watching... Heartbreaking

    • @MisfitTina
      @MisfitTina 7 месяцев назад

      It’s disturbing. I’m so claustrophobic I’d rather die!

  • @ephan30
    @ephan30 10 месяцев назад +53

    Disgrace. The hk government owns more than 90 percent of land but keeps housing at crazy prices to protect the rich. HK is a third world country period!

    • @robocop581
      @robocop581 10 месяцев назад

      We ain't all poor in HK Dufus

    • @daweigo6851
      @daweigo6851 10 месяцев назад

      Unitilgent comment.....

    • @bereal6590
      @bereal6590 10 месяцев назад

      You on ow a nation by how they treat their poor vulnerable and sick. Clearly h.k government are corrupt

    • @bkwliang8582
      @bkwliang8582 4 месяца назад

      Most of us don’t live in such small places. Don’t get extreme.

  • @zzplant6864
    @zzplant6864 9 месяцев назад +5

    Well done Yonden Lhatoo, thank you for the coverage ❤

  • @cobtreeusa
    @cobtreeusa 9 месяцев назад +13

    It is shameful. But my wife’s family lived in a small one room place back when I met her back in 1980 and she was already 19 years of age at that time.
    Nothing has changed

  • @carson6097
    @carson6097 9 месяцев назад +5

    The issue is, is that the problem is NOT insurmountable, the government profits off land taxes, so they keep the price of land artificially high by not rebuilding or building on plots of land that don't have housing.

  • @Jedidiah12
    @Jedidiah12 10 месяцев назад +143

    Who are the landlords renting these units out? What does the Fire department have to say about this?

    • @misterbig9025
      @misterbig9025 10 месяцев назад +20

      The landlords also have to pay high price for their properties. It was the Hong Kong government who sold the land at astronomical price.

    • @terenceyuen4424
      @terenceyuen4424 10 месяцев назад +19

      The fire dept. and the government turn a blind eye becuase if they shut these places down then there will be no places for lower income people to live.

    • @LXRY
      @LXRY 10 месяцев назад +8

      Fire dept is part of the gov, who profits from not developing real estate

    • @goyam2981
      @goyam2981 10 месяцев назад +3

      It's not about space. It's about design and maintenance.

    • @LoC28C
      @LoC28C 10 месяцев назад +10

      Don’t forget these landlords are also the ones who are doing all they can to stop affordable housing in Hong Kong so that they can increase their income and also maintain the value of their properties.

  • @HeyMJ.
    @HeyMJ. 10 месяцев назад +6

    Excellent reporting. Thank you 👍

  • @Loki-sk7bi
    @Loki-sk7bi 10 месяцев назад +66

    It’s a prison. Not a unit.

    • @moonlanding-69
      @moonlanding-69 9 месяцев назад

      the next lock down will be easy.

  • @elijahadams1997
    @elijahadams1997 10 месяцев назад +5

    Thank you for bringing awareness and sharing

  • @jeffreychongsathien
    @jeffreychongsathien 9 месяцев назад +12

    The rich chose not to share the wealth. The politicians choose not to force the rich to share. That is all.

  • @ammiliev9203
    @ammiliev9203 9 месяцев назад +4

    Thank you the show and the lady for keep reminding the outside world that their are so many people who need help and support and we should live the ignorance life, be mindful and try our best to improve the society we are living in.

  • @stickynorth
    @stickynorth 10 месяцев назад +32

    Hong Kong should build WAY WAY WAY more affordable public housing for the working and middle classes as a national priority project... Even Singapore knows what needs to be done...

    • @areebachewa8318
      @areebachewa8318 10 месяцев назад +5

      Singaporean politicians they are brilliance to care for their people knowing housing is the most important asset for everyone to have to be able to live in comfort ...

    • @dlkm101
      @dlkm101 10 месяцев назад +6

      What do you mean by “even Singapore knows what to be done”? Singapore government is pragmatic, brilliant and efficient. Of course Singapore knows what they need to do!

    • @canto_v12
      @canto_v12 10 месяцев назад +9

      Singapore is a lot more socialist than Hong Kong, which is a prime example of insufficiently regulated capitalism.

    • @adolphsow607
      @adolphsow607 10 месяцев назад +2

      Yes, Singapore has hdb flats we get it, unfortunately we have greedy landlords and tycoons in hong kong here.. 🤭

    • @robocop581
      @robocop581 10 месяцев назад +3

      Meh. HDB owners are glorified renters as they only have 99 year leases. I'd rather take my chance to own a property outright so I can pass them on to my kids or sell my property at market price and spend it for my retirement.

  • @JJ-iu6sr
    @JJ-iu6sr 10 месяцев назад +35

    Singaporeans who keep complaining about not being able to afford housing should watch this.

    • @MeiinUK
      @MeiinUK 10 месяцев назад

      People are becoming socially psychotic as well.... Money is a tool. You use it to make it work for you. Not to use it to fight globally. 1 million people in Europe is a country already. They don't live like this. They literally help each other save resources and fight together. Not like this.... All of this "I will help"... But not helping is just... And most people seem to keep a lid on things to stop mass mania from occurring again... So why allow more people into the city ? This is why you have laws for.

  • @popocucu7749
    @popocucu7749 10 месяцев назад +21

    The problem in HKG started way before the handover to China. It's an accumulation problem due to capitalism where government sold lands on high price to developer. Hence in order to gain high profits to recover the cost, the developers will keep on launching premium project. It's different from Singapore although the government HDB prices are skyrocketing but it's still affordable comparing to HKG. Need government intervention here to build more public housing support.

    • @lifeisgood2542
      @lifeisgood2542 10 месяцев назад

      it's not affordable anymore in singapore! even for HDBs

    • @bellefoo
      @bellefoo 10 месяцев назад

      Really?

  • @potatopotatoeOG
    @potatopotatoeOG 10 месяцев назад +10

    The same thing in Zambia. The kind of student housing being built is horrid. There was a cholera outbreak and foreign students have died because housing isnt well regulated

  • @leafyeon
    @leafyeon 4 месяца назад +1

    "how can you help me, how many more years do I have?"
    .... ya know... can't help but tear up a little when I hear this

  • @clk76
    @clk76 10 месяцев назад +118

    It's in the interest of the government and rich people to not build so fast and devalue existing real estate. If they can build a hospital in China in 2 weeks then they can build at least 100 buildings to house 100000 people in 4 years. Remember the government owns the land, Put it in the far north in the New Territories and if these people want it then they can live there. 300 sq ft for singles/couples and 500 sq ft for families which will seem huge compared to how they're living now

    • @LivingLonger
      @LivingLonger 10 месяцев назад +8

      Hong Kong follow capitalist democracy. One Country, Two Systems is the optimal solution to problems carried over from history. It is the best policy for sustaining prosperity and stability following Hong Kong's return, and it provides the fundamental safeguard for the development of democracy in Hong Kong.

    • @_seola_
      @_seola_ 10 месяцев назад +10

      @clk76 looks like u know nothing about HK "DEMOCRAZY", do you want it the Chinese way?, then fully integrate into the mainland, otherwise China can't do anything, since you want keep your colonial master's system!

    • @SprakanaKerum
      @SprakanaKerum 10 месяцев назад +5

      They can't do it too fast. Beijing's only toe hold on the territory is through the business community, and it's exactly that community that has a stranglehold on real estate. Once Beijing steps on the interest of the landlords, it's afraid HK will slip from its grasp totally

    • @MeiinUK
      @MeiinUK 10 месяцев назад

      They can change the interior to match those of the current highest level in the world. Google easy hotel. It's great. Google Tokyo capsule rooms. They are all a lot more comfortable anyway. So.... If people wanted to, they could. I feel like there are some kind of stuck ill feelings.... People are hurt. Either way.

    • @chongdi6140
      @chongdi6140 10 месяцев назад +3

      Are you a fiction creator?​@@SprakanaKerum

  • @ycs754
    @ycs754 10 месяцев назад +24

    This is the shame of HK and an accurate reflection of the incompetence of the SAR government. This problem won’t go away just by staring at it and not taking any positive actions.

  • @theallybelly
    @theallybelly 10 месяцев назад +87

    This is heartbreaking to watch: people living in squalid cages with no hope of getting out of the situation. That’s just depressing. They would be better off living in mainland China.

    • @hc1897
      @hc1897 10 месяцев назад +2

      It's true, but the problem is having to make a living. A country with BOTH ample land supply and ample economic opportunity is called, I think, Paradise.

    • @antaeusguy
      @antaeusguy 10 месяцев назад +8

      Thing is, they are very attached to their community. Their friends, family, usual places, community are what they seek comfort in. I doubt they want to move to mainland China. Hong Kong people have their own identity and don't associate themselves with mainland. Plus they are already at old age, moving out of country is going to be tough. As long as government gives them pension, they can live in Hong Kong city, despite squalid conditions, they are still okay, else they would have moved out already.

    • @ssuwandi3240
      @ssuwandi3240 10 месяцев назад +1

      Yes their children wouldn't care either . Otherwise these old homes should be sold off and get renovated

    • @livethiswayTV
      @livethiswayTV 10 месяцев назад +3

      ​@@hc1897 HK still has plenty of unused land, but they can't be bothered to develop it into housing, and they blame it on the land being hilly. We all know that's just an excuse.

    • @malthus101
      @malthus101 9 месяцев назад

      doubt it.

  • @louistan7560
    @louistan7560 10 месяцев назад +101

    The British ruled Hong Kong for 100 years. What did they do for Hongkongers? Instead of looking after the people's interest, they colluded with Hong Kong property developers to keep land prices and property prices high. And where did the profit from land sales go? They were shipped to Britain. After the British "withdrawal" from Hong Kong Legco was dysfunctional; populated by developers' representatives and all attempts to build more public housing sabotaged by repeated impasse. With the internal security law now fully in-place and Legco "righted" to focus on the real needs of the people. Change is coming. New public housing and property laws are being amended to provide a more level playing field. It is a big disappointment that someone who has lived and worked in Hong Kong for decades and chief editor of the SCMP refuses to recognise this. His appearance in the video, his behaviour and the comments he uttered reflects the hypocrisy of his office.

    • @fargone2000
      @fargone2000 10 месяцев назад +9

      Well, we will see.... But fully agree with what you said about the Brits

    • @Hkchinese888
      @Hkchinese888 10 месяцев назад +8

      @@fargone2000
      We miss British colonialism

    • @nebhalabir1201
      @nebhalabir1201 10 месяцев назад +12

      They have been gone for thirty years. Stop blaming them this is your fault

    • @Hkchinese888
      @Hkchinese888 10 месяцев назад +4

      @@nebhalabir1201 our Chyna logic: the fault is not on my side

    • @LivingLonger
      @LivingLonger 10 месяцев назад +6

      @@nebhalabir1201 They runaway after Hong Kong implemented national security law on June 30, 2020. what an ignorant

  • @florenceshen1555
    @florenceshen1555 10 месяцев назад +3

    Thank you for bringing this dilapidated living for so many people in HongKong. I see the resilience in the people and also the despair. The government should be ashamed for not taking care of the residents. The living conditions are disgusting!

  • @maddscientist3170
    @maddscientist3170 9 месяцев назад +4

    SAD.......and this happens in EVERY COUNTRY even the United States...there is no respect for aging people anymore in this world, people in poverty, disabled, etc. All boils down to politics, the "Rich" & the rest of us.

  • @afriend9428
    @afriend9428 10 месяцев назад +23

    *These people are so strong and brave a lot of people in other countries would have given up or died so well done to these HK people* ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

    • @misterbig9025
      @misterbig9025 10 месяцев назад +1

      Those unhappy have left for Canada and UK

    • @indiastillnotoilets
      @indiastillnotoilets 10 месяцев назад +1

      @@misterbig9025LOL, but now they want to return to the motherland. All that glitter ain't gold after all 😂

  • @EyreEver
    @EyreEver 9 месяцев назад +3

    So, the problem is that the slumlord owners are not being charged with their crime. Whoever is charging rent for these is a criminal.

  • @melginger3794
    @melginger3794 10 месяцев назад +4

    Thank you Yonden

  • @amandacalvo1211
    @amandacalvo1211 6 месяцев назад +1

    Amazing documentary!

  • @aravearave
    @aravearave 10 месяцев назад +14

    hongkong public housing is 40 years too late, 20-30 years ago it was a nice place to visit . my last visit about a year ago i felt that hk is really expensive place and i dont think i've enjoyed like the past previous visits. the living expenses are really expensive and crampy food places...

  • @kamilareeder1493
    @kamilareeder1493 9 месяцев назад +2

    She is so full of life ❤😊 I hope her life is full of blessings, I know she will share them.

  • @tjr-007tt
    @tjr-007tt 10 месяцев назад +14

    I can’t bare to imagine the smell in a place like that with so many people and little ventilation. Disgusting…

    • @jobturkey7418
      @jobturkey7418 10 месяцев назад +3

      It does stink but I shudder what the smell would be like in Mexico and India. Especially India

    • @Lemmon714_
      @Lemmon714_ 9 месяцев назад

      I would live in one of those cages in Hong Kong than a house in India the most disgusting place on earth

  • @nicc7890
    @nicc7890 8 месяцев назад +1

    This Reporter is great and speak his mind

  • @bladeqmaster
    @bladeqmaster 10 месяцев назад +14

    In mainland they have lots of vacant home. It is just no job there. But if all these people willing they can go there and creates local job. Starting with agriculture and goes up to sme businesses that can ship products to other places.

  • @DUDE72341
    @DUDE72341 9 месяцев назад +3

    This is life in hong kong and this model is spreading all over the world..capatalism at it's finest

  • @andychua5477
    @andychua5477 10 месяцев назад +19

    Hong Kong had so many rich tycoon. If they’re willing to pool their resources together, all the housing problems will be resolved.

    • @rosebailey3537
      @rosebailey3537 10 месяцев назад +4

      The rich tycoons want more money for themselves....they aren't about to help anyone but themselves

    • @CastorRabbit
      @CastorRabbit 9 месяцев назад

      @@rosebailey3537 Busy buying Sydney and Vancouver

    • @karenyuen4005
      @karenyuen4005 4 месяца назад

      They are the ones who made the poverty can’t afford to buy an apartment

  • @winkstar9265
    @winkstar9265 9 месяцев назад +3

    It’s sickening to that so many people around the world live in deplorable conditions suffering and starving meanwhile the rich and famous have multiple mansions, luxury vehicles, yachts and private jets.

    • @michaelbenton2518
      @michaelbenton2518 9 месяцев назад

      Why you blame the rich and famous, not there fault ,many Chinese are property speculators there happy to make money out of others .it is the same in the west .but at the end of the day it is just people trying to become well of and most of the human population would do the same if they could .

  • @JohnWoo
    @JohnWoo 10 месяцев назад +6

    Just being realistic. Without these landlords who subdivided their apartments, these people would be homeless on the street. There's just more demand than supply for housing, and these "slumlords" actually help solve part of the problem at least.

  • @rentisme
    @rentisme 9 месяцев назад +4

    Why would a seven year old have an income? They are just making it needlessly complicated in order for some people to give up and stop bothering them.

  • @user-bt3iz7vi7q
    @user-bt3iz7vi7q 10 месяцев назад +6

    Thank you for making this video and speak up for the unfortunate. Hope the government will build more government housing to accommodate all needed very soon. 🙏✌️❤️

  • @cim888
    @cim888 10 месяцев назад +15

    I've been going to Hongkong for over 35 years. Hong Kong under UK rule achieved very little.. now they have a "democracy" yet many live in poverty. Citizens toxicity is at an all time high while nothing has really changed in regards to the infrastructures, ports, housing etc.. Tourism, music, movie, theme park and shopping industries once the leaders in Asia in a thriving city are no longer in the top 10 on any lists of Asia. Just look at Macau, they embraced their overlords and now live in surplus, prosperous lives. You either move forward and work together or get left behind. Ignore the West's media to divide you.

    • @daweigo6851
      @daweigo6851 10 месяцев назад +2

      Nothing do with the Western media, silly comment

    • @bereal6590
      @bereal6590 10 месяцев назад

      You mistake democracy for what's effectively in name only. Democracy gives choice but leaders have to be held accountable! Choosing an overlord gives no choices

  • @wenling3487
    @wenling3487 10 месяцев назад +4

    Happy that some hongkong media start to talk about it.
    It needs to be solved. We are all human, not animals.

  • @norasno1768
    @norasno1768 9 месяцев назад +2

    I would be worried about an accidental fire out break. The housing minister needs to be replaced.

  • @jayque
    @jayque 10 месяцев назад +19

    Absolutely inhumane. Totally unacceptable. Who are the people that treated the people this way? How did the authorities approve for a space to be divided into 14 beds or coffin beds???!!!! Who made this possible. Arrest him and how can proper housing by 2049????? This should be solved maximum 1 year no more than 2 years!

    • @makanmata
      @makanmata 10 месяцев назад +2

      Please explain how arresting those who built coffin homes will result in better housing for the people who live in them. In fact, the people who you want to arrest are doing more than the government to provide actual housing for these people, even if it doesn't meet your personal standards.

    • @jayque
      @jayque 10 месяцев назад

      @@makanmata makanmata where are you from?

    • @makanmata
      @makanmata 10 месяцев назад

      @@jayque I don't know why that should matter but I asked you a question first, that you still haven't answered.

    • @jayque
      @jayque 10 месяцев назад +3

      @@makanmata Because you said something so astonishingly shocking I asked a sarcastic question where are you from? The living conditions is inhumane if you cannot understand this part something is clearly wrong with you and you went as far as to say the people should be grateful they even have coffin beds 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯Please go see a psychiatrist.

    • @LowejaDogs
      @LowejaDogs 10 месяцев назад +1

      @@jayque Well said.

  • @BuckerdBecket
    @BuckerdBecket 7 месяцев назад

    The personality shines through and keeps viewers coming back.

  • @leealex24
    @leealex24 10 месяцев назад +29

    Kindda foolish they ask a 7 year old girl her income.

    • @laurie113
      @laurie113 9 месяцев назад +2

      It’s disgusting

  • @martindennisgarcia684
    @martindennisgarcia684 9 месяцев назад +2

    Ridiculous how the hongkong government asks how much a seven year old earns. 🙄🙄🙄

  • @easternrazor3749
    @easternrazor3749 10 месяцев назад +32

    All these were legacy left behind by the British.
    This is the price of capitalism. Someone made a fortune where the streets were lined with Rolls Royce and the published list of millionaires.
    This problem is easy to resolve if the local council and government controls rather than allow capitalist to control the government.
    Supply can be manipulated by the local council. Design, size of apartment, pricing and ownership can be under the control of the local council.
    Mind set needs to change instead of clinging on to the legacy of British rules, democracy etc.
    If Macau and Mainland China can do it, why is the tiny population in HK unable!!

    • @NEAAFFAIRS
      @NEAAFFAIRS 10 месяцев назад +2

      They have better public housing in UK, far from perfect but still humane. HK is a leased land to grab money while they can.

    • @bereal6590
      @bereal6590 10 месяцев назад

      Not capitalism, crisis capitalism. You don't seem to understand how things work in nations with democracy capitalism and equality

    • @npcimknot958
      @npcimknot958 10 месяцев назад

      Jfc this isn’t capitalism jfc..

    • @easternrazor3749
      @easternrazor3749 10 месяцев назад

      @@npcimknot958 if not capitalism than what is it?

    • @ThePaulz80
      @ThePaulz80 9 месяцев назад

      I could see China prefer take care seriously in Macau because of huge wealth compare to crampy HK.

  • @5canwalk
    @5canwalk 9 месяцев назад +1

    Eye-opening, heart-breaking😢

  • @ManChan-w5p
    @ManChan-w5p 10 месяцев назад +4

    Born in Tsuen Wan 1971 now 50 miles west of Disneyworld in central Florida.

  • @yolandaponkers1581
    @yolandaponkers1581 6 месяцев назад +1

    This lady is who we should all aspire to be ❤❤❤❤

  • @Vscounter
    @Vscounter 10 месяцев назад +34

    For Uncle Leung to have a decent conversation in English, I wonder what he used to do before he landed here.

    • @KJ_2020
      @KJ_2020 10 месяцев назад +6

      He's a Hong Konger?

    • @pauldwalker
      @pauldwalker 10 месяцев назад +22

      HK people were educated in English and Cantonese.

    • @pauldwalker
      @pauldwalker 10 месяцев назад +2

      @@KJ_2020 yes.

    • @cim888
      @cim888 10 месяцев назад +2

      @@pauldwalker Most, certainly not all.. I know heaps that in the 50-60s that don't speak much English at all. In fact over the past few decades their Mandarin has vastly improved over English.

  • @shawnwhite3662
    @shawnwhite3662 5 месяцев назад +1

    This makes me very thankful for my studio apartment that I was upset about.

  • @joelfrombethlehem
    @joelfrombethlehem 10 месяцев назад +31

    As bad as this is, it is much an improvement over the American homeless problems.

    • @randyg4571
      @randyg4571 9 месяцев назад +4

      Really? Many homeless in America, who are not in shelters, live outdoors. Not speaking for the homeless but I believe that because of what they were once used to, i doubt the homeless in America would accept a cage home since many even refuse communal shelters, All the while watching this video I was thinking " what if a fire". Homelessness and caged homes are both very sad situations.

    • @chivato72
      @chivato72 9 месяцев назад +3

      An average house size in the US is around 2000 sq ft., although the US homeless crisis is really bad you can’t in any way compared it with the housing situation in HK.

    • @theresamarie7679
      @theresamarie7679 9 месяцев назад +1

      It would be better to homeless & breathe fresh air & be in nature camping out.
      😢😢😢

  • @evabb506
    @evabb506 2 месяца назад

    Great documentary - thank you for bringing this to my awareness

  • @kimmeelee9758
    @kimmeelee9758 10 месяцев назад +13

    Here we see how pressure from Beijing is helping to improve living conditions for the poor.
    It's just starting now but Beijing's supervisory role here is more than welcome.
    I hope the locals recognize this and can appreciate the motherland and central government.
    Many have been brainwashed over decades by Western anti-China propaganda.

    • @sitoudien9816
      @sitoudien9816 9 месяцев назад

      These homes are a legacy from British rule and we're never stamped out after handover. 25 years later and still nothing. In 1949, the PRC created landform. Beijing could come and do it themselves and it would make the HK government look even more incompetent.

  • @gabriellafox7948
    @gabriellafox7948 9 месяцев назад +1

    Just wow😢🙏🏻Lord please protect these people & help this wonderful lady make progress!

  • @agustinussiahaan6669
    @agustinussiahaan6669 10 месяцев назад +4

    How do they maintain the electrical system, plumbings, fire extinguisher, etc?

  • @fanyong7883
    @fanyong7883 9 месяцев назад +1

    Hong Kong government, pls find a solution to housing problems facing underprivileged, just simple and viable solutions. Don't make it complicated. Easy and simple solutions for long term solutions. Make developers to build mix housing plans low and middle class and high income group. In Hong Kong, the rich become more richer and the poor becomes more poorer. Please let the richest subsidize the housing for the poor?

  • @karenavey2183
    @karenavey2183 10 месяцев назад +10

    My friend’s sister offered me a room no bigger than a broom closet for 800.00 Canadian. Lol

  • @ChayongWu
    @ChayongWu 10 месяцев назад +2

    I have high respects to these people , we are not in their situation to judge their fate.

  • @EZ-rs5zv
    @EZ-rs5zv 10 месяцев назад +6

    This is the difference between the socialist system of China versus the unbridled capitalism of colonial Hong Kong. Socialism will try to provide for the poorest people while capitalism will let them fall through the cracks and suffer until they die.

    • @edwright480
      @edwright480 10 месяцев назад +2

      There are major differences between socialism and communism, one is about the people, the other is about the party. Also with any communism and dictatorships the military is always involved in the control of people.

    • @AustenFoo
      @AustenFoo 6 месяцев назад

      @@EZ-rs5zv china bot

  • @pad9x
    @pad9x 9 месяцев назад +1

    these kind of flats are unnacceptable. there should be a price limit on how much landlords can charge for these flats. this is not normal

  • @cindybubbles
    @cindybubbles 10 месяцев назад +5

    Wow, Hong Kong still has this problem after so many years? I thought they would have fixed this by now!

  • @SumanNath25
    @SumanNath25 7 месяцев назад

    In such space how people spent their entire life is showing human resilience beyond any possible imagination. Respect from India.

  • @balsafarmers10
    @balsafarmers10 10 месяцев назад +3

    I am not rich but my house in the Philippines has a 10x7x7f" bathroom, 1 - 10x16ft bedroom, and a kitchen with a store.. have a 5x5"cottage inside a 200 sqm lot beachfront... But someone told me that I am a filthy poor Filipino and knowing he has no own house. Lol. ...
    I hope the people here in HK who live in a coffin house will soon have their own better housing.

  • @LeePearce-wq6pv
    @LeePearce-wq6pv 10 месяцев назад +2

    At least they have their friends and families for support.
    The ones making everyone live poorly are all plotting and scamming each other, even within their own families.
    Be grateful for your blessings in life.

  • @naturedesignbc
    @naturedesignbc 9 месяцев назад +3

    Interesting, at least they are indoors, in Canada they would be living in a tent and many do.

  • @SF-fb6lv
    @SF-fb6lv 9 месяцев назад +2

    I'm 60, and in my view: With all that we have done as a species, life is harder than ever now...

  • @merryweather4988
    @merryweather4988 10 месяцев назад +9

    I have a cousin who married a HK woman. They once lived in a big and comfortable property but it was a bit further out and not in central HK. After a year or so they moved back into a smaller place in central HK because she couldn’t stand to be far out from the centre. That’s the problem with these people, there’s load of space and much cheaper properties outside but they prefer to cramp together living in rabbit cages because they want the convenience of living centrally. This is a problem since British colonial times. People’s mentality have to change first. This is the same all over Asia. Look at Bangkok, Tokyo, Shanghai etc. They can’t stand walking for more than a few minutes in the heat to go anywhere and prefer to live in a tiny cupboard above the shop where everything is close at hand. I’ve heard this from my cousin and various others who married Asians and living in Bangkok etc. They all said the same. This is basically an Asian mentality.

  • @thennowforever47
    @thennowforever47 9 месяцев назад

    Sze is a example of what giving really is. If people knew how much giving feeds the soul their would be waiting lists of people wanting to help their fellow man. ❤