Life in a Shabby Shack: Hong Kong’s Hidden Homeless Reality
Picture a cheap wooden hut tucked under a highway in one of Hong Kong’s most under‑affluent corners. That’s the daily scene for Cheung Muk Gun, a 72‑year‑old “old‑school” veteran who survives on a humble HK$10,000 (≈S$1,677) monthly wage.
He works seven days a week cold‑cutting meat at a local shop in Mong Kok – a stone’s throw across Victoria Harbour from the city’s glittering financial district. Even with those steady hours, the sky‑high property boom proves a tough pill to swallow.
Why the Shack Beats a Fancy Apartment
- Prices have doubled over the last decade.
- A cramped, windowless flat can rent for roughly HK$2,000 a month. Cheung prefers his shack over squeezing a bed into a space that could almost be a bathroom.
- Apartment rentals near Mong Kok cost about HK$12,000 for a 250‑sq‑ft (≈23 m²) unit with windows and a bathroom.
“Why would I spend that kind of cash on rent and other bills when my paycheck barely covers the basics?” Cheung laments.
The Grim Numbers Behind Street Sleepers
Since Cheung fell onto the curb over five years ago, the city’s homeless population has shot up by roughly 30%, reaching around 1,800 according to the Society for Community Organisation (SocO). In contrast, official government figures listed only 1,075 street sleepers at the end of 2017, and 908 in 2016.
- These numbers exclude “McRefugees” – those using fast‑food restaurants as a refuge.
- With a total population of 7.3 million, the hidden crisis is growing faster than the headlines say.
- In Los Angeles County, there are nearly 58,000 homeless residents, whereas Hong Kong has far fewer, but the rate of increase is a red flag.
Government Response: A Balancing Act
The Social Welfare Department is trying to pull people back into society, partnering with six non‑government organisations that run hostels and emergency shelters. A spokeswoman explained:
“During their stay in the hostels, responsible social workers will help street sleepers identify long‑term accommodation or appropriate residential care.”
While Singapore counts about 300 homeless families out of 5.6 million, thanks to subsidised and affordable homes, Hong Kong’s acute lack of such housing pushes so many into the streets. Even workers who once could afford a place now find themselves below the poverty line, as the wealth gap swells to its widest in over four decades.
Behind the Numbers: A Human Story
Cheung’s story is just one spark in a larger blaze. The Chinese territory’s soaring rents, wage squeeze, and widening inequality all combine to make the dream of owning or renting a decent home a distant fantasy for many.
In a city known for its high‑rise glamour, one can still find an abandoned wooden shack under a highway whispering the truth of a hidden homelessness problem – a story that’s young or old, but undeniably human.
When McDonald’s Becomes the New Homeless Headquarters
Everyone knows that a burger and a fries combo can lift the spirits, right? But in Hong Kong, sometimes the real mission of the golden arch is to offer a roof—well, a roof‑less place that keeps the rain out.
The “McRefugee” Numbers Won’t Stop Growing
- Social workers estimate that roughly 25 % of the city’s homeless folks consider a McDonald’s their safe space.
- They’re especially flocking to any 24‑hour outlet—think fast‑food shelters with free air‑conditioning and fries on a side.
- With the heat rising in summer, the numbers jump: up to 20 souls might claim a spot behind the counter.
Real Stories From Inside the Drive‑Thru
Wong Shek Hei—a 65‑year‑old cleaner who earned about HK$7,000 a month—found the bedding at a HK$1,500 a month dorm too itchy, thanks to bugs and drug‑addict disturbances. “I left because it was unbearable,” he says, citing the unbearable heat and the lack of quiet. He now counts on the steady breeze inside the fast‑food joint that keeps him cool when the sun blazes outward.
One veteran of the relocation community, Yeung, has called the McDonald’s a sanctuary for eight months. “They don’t officially approve sleeping in there, but they watch you over like a mother hen,” he says.
How Big Are These Populations?
Reuters staff roamed four 24‑hour McDonald’s locations and found an average of six people. For some, shoes on the floor, for others, rest heads on a table—like it’s a temple of the night.
McDonald’s & the City’s Reactions
- On average, there are 120 all‑around‑the‑clock McDonald’s in Hong Kong out of about 240 fast‑food chains.
- The company admits that customers can stay whenever they wish—because the lights stay on, and you can always hit the “sleep” button on life.
New Hotspots for the Homeless
Olivia Chan—social worker for Christian Concern for the Homeless—points to Tsuen Wan, a district haven for newcomers. “In the last two years the situation has blown up, and Tsuen Wan is becoming a new gathering ground,” she notes.
In Summary: Fast‑Food is Revamping the Definition of “Open 24/7”
From a place to purchase a mid‑night snack, to a makeshift shelter for those who cannot or prefer not to stay in clinics, the McDonald’s of Hong Kong is evolving. The city wants to help, but critics argue that merely adhering to “business hours” without extending support is only a temporary fix. As the summer heat reaches its peak, the fast‑food landscape might just grow a little more…well, warm for all.
