A better life

Professor Yau Yung, from the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at Lingnan University, says the community living room offers basic facilities and affordable services for less privileged families. The lack of such facilities is a big problem that can't be ignored for those still living in subdivided flats as they are unable to afford commercial laundry services because of the high prices, says Yau. Apart from concerns about hygiene, children growing up in a crowded environment may face ridicule or bullying in schools. The community living room offers affordable laundry and drying services that are crucial for these families.

Yau says he appreciates the facility's role in strengthening bonds in the community as parents can share their problems with others, which is essential for their mental well-being.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, visited the Sham Shui Po community living room during his weeklong inspection tour of the SAR in February. He lauded the project and encouraged Hong Kong to expand it to benefit more residents.

The SAR government will open three more community living rooms - in To Kwa Wan, Hung Hom and Nam Cheong - this year.

Yau says similar facilities should be built, and multimodal community living rooms could be provided later.

There are many other groups, such as the elderly, who may need such community living rooms with special medical equipment and services that belong to them, says Yau. In other words, within a district, there could be multiple community living rooms focusing on various aspects, benefiting more residents.