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Subdivided Flats Become Furnaces as Hong Kong Heats Up
15 Aug
Summary
- Rooftop structures and subdivided flats in Hong Kong reach 105°F inside
- Residents, including a 15-year-old boy, suffer health issues from extreme heat
- Government struggles to provide affordable, livable housing for the poor
On August 16, 2025, Hong Kong's poorest residents continue to bear the brunt of the city's intensifying heat waves. Residents living in rooftop structures and subdivided flats, like 13-year-old Roy and his mother, are trapped in furnace-like conditions, with indoor temperatures soaring past 105°F.
The extreme heat is exacerbating the city's housing crisis, as low-income families are pushed into makeshift, poorly insulated homes. Many report health issues like heatstroke, skin conditions, and emotional distress. 69-year-old Mr. Tse spends his days at the library to escape the scorching temperatures in his subdivided flat, while Yeung, in her 60s, sacrifices meals to keep the air conditioner running for her grandson.
Despite being one of the world's wealthiest cities, Hong Kong continues to struggle with a severe shortage of affordable, livable housing. The government's efforts to address the crisis, including plans for 30,000 new public housing units by 2027-28, have yet to provide relief for the tens of thousands trapped in substandard living conditions.
