Howard

Homeless 6 years | Originally from Liverpool, England

One of them is Howard, a British construction tradesman from Liverpool who arrived in Hong Kong in August 1994 under British administration. He had originally planned to stop for only a couple of weeks on his way back from Australia to the United Kingdom. But at that time Hong Kong was still a British colony, making it easy to obtain a work visa. He secured a one-year visa and quickly found opportunities in the construction industry.

For decades, Howard specialized in raised access flooring installation. His company worked on high-profile projects across Hong Kong and Asia, including the International Finance Centre (IFC) in Central, Millennium City, major banks and computer rooms. He also took on contracts in Taiwan, Bangkok, Singapore and Jakarta. “I put all the floors in IFC,” he recalled with pride.

His life took a sharp turn in early 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two major clients defaulted on payments at the same time. His landlord, who owned both a hardware shop and the apartment on Hill Road where Howard lived, offered no flexibility. “The landlord basically got triads to take me out,” Howard said. Within weeks, he was evicted and lost his home. That marked the beginning of six years sleeping rough, mostly in the Happy Valley area.

Video 2: Howard’s Life Journey. Earth Studio animation following Howard’s route from Liverpool to Australia, then to Shek Tong Tsui in Hong Kong in 1994 where he built his career in construction, to his current life sleeping rough in the Happy Valley pedestrian subway.

Now in his 60s, Howard suffers from a serious back condition — lumbar spondylosis with bone spurs pressing on his sciatic nerve. The pain is often severe and limits his mobility. Doctors have recommended complex surgery that involves drilling into the spine to remove the bone spur and fusing two discs. Recovery could take four to six months. “Once I have the operation, I hope I’m still able to do one more contract before I get too old,” he said.

The injury has made consistent work nearly impossible. Since 2013 he has only managed occasional small private residential jobs through word of mouth. He is also deeply worried about losing his professional tools and equipment. If he is forced to move to a smaller space, he may have to sell or discard them, making it even harder to restart after surgery.

Daily life in the pedestrian subway is full of practical difficulties. He lives without electricity, so charging his phone and other devices is a constant challenge. He showers at nearby sports field changing rooms. About a month ago, government departments including Home Affairs, Highways, and Food and Hygiene carried out a cleansing operation. They removed his makeshift storage cabinets and most of his belongings, leaving him with only a bed.

“I’ve turned to government and NGO support, but it’s only short-term — usually about six months,” he said. “After that, I’m back on the street.”

Despite the hardship, Howard is not without hope or humanity. He has been in a relationship with a Thai partner for 12 years. They met through a mutual friend and have supported each other through difficult times. In his makeshift shelter in the Happy Valley pedestrian subway, he has placed one of his own paintings behind the old sofa given to him by his friend.

Howard’s living situation under the Happy Valley pedestrian subway, photo taken by Mandy Liao

One of Howard’s paintings in his shelter under the Happy Valley pedestrian subway. Photo by Jasmine Han.

“Get my operation, start walking properly again, get a contract and make some money,” he said. Despite his situation, he remains hopeful.

“You have to keep going … never give up. There’s always hope. You never know.”  

Mary

Homeless almost 10 years| Originally from Philippine

Mary, a Filipino immigrant, came to Hong Kong hoping to support her children back home, one of whom requires ongoing medication that was unaffordable in the Philippines. For years the family lived in Causeway Bay, but escalating rents and financial difficulties forced them to move repeatedly.

Each relocation required a new rental deposit, which steadily drained their savings. “Once you use the deposit, the next place you have to provide your own,” Mary said. She tried staying in NGO shelters, but most allowed only short stays. “Three weeks, then you have to leave,” she said. “Friends offered temporary refuge, but their situations were just as unstable.” Eventually, the family settled in a makeshift shelter in the pedestrian subway near Happy Valley Racecourse, where they have now lived for 10 years. “It’s safer,” she said.

Although registered as temporary residents, the family receives no government subsidies or long-term housing assistance. Mary is not permitted to work formally. She relies on a small monthly allowance through a government officer’s card, which is often barely enough for basic expenses as the cost of living continues to rise.

The family’s situation worsened after a recent government cleansing operation. Officials removed many of their personal belongings and furniture, leaving them with even fewer resources. Despite this, Mary acknowledges the positive side of such operations. “Hygiene is the most important,” she said, noting that regular cleaning by government teams is one reason she chose the Happy Valley subway.

Support mainly comes from a few NGOs that occasionally provide food, invite the family to church, or organize limited social activities. When assistance is unavailable, the family relies on small savings or generosity from friends and restaurant workers who sometimes share leftovers.

Daily life in the underground shelter is difficult. As a woman living in a mixed-gender environment shared with many male street sleepers, Mary faces added concerns about safety and privacy. Other challenges include maintaining hygiene in cramped conditions, fetching water, cleaning the shelter, and protecting belongings from theft. She described the government’s hygiene department as inconsistent — sometimes thorough, sometimes neglecting proper sanitation.

Her children live separately in government housing. Mary rarely sees them. “I still have a chance to go see my kids, but not often,” she said. She added that her children miss her greatly. The separation weighs heavily on her, especially as one child needs ongoing medical treatment. She worries about the limited educational and health support available if the family ever returns to the Philippines.

Despite a decade of hardship, she continues to cope that day by day.

“You can do whatever you want in your own place, and now I cannot,” she said, “Nobody wants to stay here, like how you can survive for nothing, but still you are here, so you have to cope at the moment.”