Intense heat magnifies housing crunch for Hong Kong's elderly

A lack of options forces them to endure poor living conditions

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Even with two electric fans whirring, retired janitor Chun Loi was sweating profusely in her windowless, one-room flat that swelters during Hong Kong's humid summer.

Her 50 sq ft room is partitioned with well-worn planks from four other small rooms, commonly known as subdivided units.

It is a sweaty but low-cost option that has proliferated across Hong Kong, one of the world's most expensive housing markets.

Experts warn that, with 2024 expected to be the hottest year in recorded history, elderly people like Ms Chun living in Hong Kong's small, poorly ventilated units face greater risks.

AFP joined a Red Cross Hong Kong team that works with families that live in units like Ms Chun's to improve their living conditions.

"The heat makes it very hard for me... I feel tired," the 84-year-old told AFP on Aug 10, when the temperature crept past 32 deg C.

"I try to stay in as much as possible with my fans... Otherwise, where can you go? It's embarrassing to stay in restaurants and malls if I am not eating anything," Ms Chun said.

Her unit in Hong Kong's Kowloon region costs about HK$2,000 (S$338) a month.