People of Hong Kong

This is a street portrait project focused mainly on the poorest areas in Hong Kong.

Based on the 2016 Hong Kong Poverty Situation report, Hong Kong has a poverty rate of almost 20 percent, with 1.35 million of the city’s 7.35 million residents living below the official poverty line.

A walk through Sham Shui Po reveals the city’s less glossy side: Elderly people collect leftover cardboard for money, street vendors sell second-hand goods, and aging tenement buildings house subdivided units so small that some are called “coffin homes.”

The album "Humans of Hong Kong" captures the lives and struggles of individuals living in poor districts of the city. The photographs highlight the diversity and resilience of the people living in these areas, despite facing poverty and marginalization.

The images showcase a wide range of subjects, from elderly residents tending to their small gardens, to children playing in the streets, to street vendors selling their wares. The photos are intimate and captured up close, allowing the viewer to connect with the subjects and see their humanity.

Despite the apparent poverty and difficult living situations, the images also reveal the vibrancy and beauty of the districts. The colorful street art and bustling markets are a testament to the resilience and creativity of the community.

Overall, "Humans of Hong Kong" offers a powerful and empathetic look into the lives of those living in poverty in the city, while also highlighting their resilience and beauty.

In Hong Kong, 91,787 households live in sub-divided units, which are residential units split into two or more living quarters. For an average per capita floor area of 5.8 sq m, 83 per cent of these households pay a monthly rent ranging from HK$3,000 to more than HK$6,000.