A new initiative in Hong Kong is offering residents of subdivided flats enhanced living facilities and social support through the opening of a Community Living Room in the Yau Ma Tei neighborhood. The space, launched earlier this year through collaboration between DBS Foundation and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, aims to address the challenges faced by families living in cramped and often inadequate housing conditions.

Subdivided flats, which are small units carved out of larger apartments, typically range from 50 to 100 square feet and often lack basic amenities such as sufficient kitchen space, laundry facilities, and study areas. These cramped quarters force residents to manage multiple daily tasks within a single confined room, frequently leading to discomfort and limited opportunities for leisure or social interaction.

The Community Living Room program, initiated by the Hong Kong government in response to these housing issues, targets districts with a high prevalence of subdivided flats, including Yau Ma Tei and the greater Yau Tsim Mong area. It provides communal spaces with facilities that include a shared kitchen, self-service laundry, bathrooms with showers, study rooms for children, youth recreation areas, and spaces designated for health education. Social workers on-site offer support and organise activities to help residents engage with community resources.

Jelly Chan, supervisor of the Yau Ma Tei Community Living Room under the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, highlighted the importance of tailoring facilities to the community’s diverse needs. “Because there are quite a few Muslim residents in Yau Ma Tei, we specially set up a halal kitchen for them,” Chan explained. The kitchen features separate utensils and provisions sourced from local mosques to accommodate religious dietary requirements.

Residents have expressed appreciation for the new space. Lily Chi, who lives nearby with her husband and young son, described her prior living environment as inadequate, citing problems such as limited hot water for showers and insufficient room for her son to study except on their bed. Chi participated in the early consultation stages of the project and noted that the Community Living Room met her expectations by providing a warm, home-like environment with well-equipped facilities.

Another resident, Casniti, an Indonesian mother, emphasized the social benefits of the space. She said the Community Living Room helped alleviate feelings of loneliness by offering a venue where she could meet others and her son could interact with peers.

Since its opening in January, over 600 residents have become members of the Yau Ma Tei Community Living Room. The partnership behind the initiative aims to attract more subdivided flat households to join and benefit from the support and amenities provided.

DBS Foundation, the charitable arm of Singapore-based DBS Bank, prioritizes projects that improve quality of life and promote financial resilience among underserved communities. In Hong Kong, it has committed HK$165 million since 2014 to support charitable programs benefiting approximately 460,000 people. The foundation also facilitates workshops at the Community Living Room that focus on financial literacy and management.

“Through DBS Foundation, we are committed to supporting the community and fostering inclusion, working together with our partners to provide essential needs for those in need,” said Sebastian Paredes, CEO of DBS Bank (Hong Kong) and head of DBS North Asia.

The Yau Ma Tei Community Living Room represents a practical step toward mitigating the challenges faced by subdivided flat residents, offering them not only improved facilities but also a second space to connect and build community.