Recent reports indicate that temperatures in substandard housing in Hong Kong climbed to as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) over the past week.
Additionally, a concern group found that around 40 per cent of tenants living in these substandard homes reported having poor-quality windows or no windows at all.
The results came from two studies published by the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) on Sunday, with the group calling on authorities to offer subsidies so tenants could buy cooling products.
SoCO also said that the living conditions of low-income families were unlikely to improve until regulations governing the standards for subdivided flats were fully implemented in 2030.
“That means the residents still have years to endure. Can the government offer some subsidies, such as coupons, to residents for purchasing cooling products?” said Sze Lai-shan, the group’s deputy director.
“The government can also subsidise their utility fees. We think the subsidy should be at least HK$200 [US$25] per person each month.”
The subsidies could cover products such as air conditioners, fans and heat-reduction curtains, among others, she suggested.
The government is set to present the relevant bill at the Legislative Council on Wednesday.
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Under the proposed legislation, such properties must fulfil a set of standards to become accredited “basic housing units”, such as having a minimum size of 86 sq ft and proper windows, and remain on the rental market.
The bill is expected to pass by the end of October, meaning landlords can start registering their properties under the policy as early as next March and enjoy a grace period until the end of February 2030 to rectify any outstanding property issues.
The two SoCO studies published on Sunday included a survey of temperatures recorded by tenants living in 11 cage homes, subdivided flats and other forms of substandard housing across the city between Monday and Saturday of last week.
The highest recorded temperature was 40 degrees, with the reading taken on Saturday by a tenant living in a metal hut in Yuen Long. A subdivided rooftop home in Kwun Tong clocked mercury readings of 39 degrees.
The Hong Kong Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees at its headquarters that day.
The second study involved interviews with 300 people between May and July about their living conditions in subpar housing amid the heat.
According to the survey, 35.7 per cent of tenants said that opening their windows was not an option because they faced lightwells that lacked air circulation, among other reasons, while another 4 per cent did not have any windows in their homes.
More than 77 per cent of tenants said they were reliant on air conditioners or fans to keep themselves cool.
About 42 per cent of all interviewees also said they opted for a shower to keep cool, and about 36 per cent opened their windows for better ventilation.
The survey also found that 72 per cent of tenants were worried about the strain on their finances caused by the heat amid reduced income and subsidies, while 68 per cent of all interviewees said they believed that low-income families’ utility bills would inevitably increase.
