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How underprivileged families are turning smaller homes into big hopes through community support.
In Hong Kong, about 110,000 households live in sub-divided units (SDUs), where cramped quarters impact family relationships, mental health, and children’s development. For transitional housing residents, they had also suffered from unfavourable living conditions while waiting for a long-term solutions to their housing problem.
Qiqi used to worry constantly about raising her children in their SDU. With four family members sharing the tiny space, daily life was a struggle—from cooking meals to finding room for her children to play and study.
When Qiqi discovered an unusual community hub in Kwai Tsing, she could use the community kitchen there to prepare “homemade” meals for her family. Having access to a shared kitchen and affordable laundry service made everyday tasks so much easier. But she found much more than just extra space.
At the hub, Qiqi met neighbours facing similar challenges. What began as shared frustrations over cramped living spaces soon blossomed into a network of collective resilience with mutual support and collaborative problem-solving, helping her gain confidence in her ability to navigate through the challenges. Soon she was volunteering as an instructor for crocheting and flower arrangement classes, sharing her skills while building new friendships. The hub gave her a chance to discover what she is good at and connect with her local community.
The Keung family faced different challenges in transitional housing. They struggled with irregular part-time work that made saving nearly impossible. Through innovative high interest rates saving scheme and comprehensive financial education, they have developed better money management habits. Their daughter now attends after-school tutoring, making friends while allowing her parents more time for work and rest.
Meanwhile, Mr Chan’s story highlights how career support can transform lives. After facing setbacks in his chef work, he felt his confidence draining along with his bank account. With the career coaching from the Jockey Club Level-Up Empowerment Employment Centre, he has now recognised his interest and values and subsequently rebuild his self-belief.
With renewed determination, he is now a canteen chef at Ruttonjee Hospital—a step he took entirely on his own. He secured the full-time job with a monthly salary increase of 57% from his previous income.
Beyond the better pay, the job restored his professional pride. Upcoming support from Family Capacity Building Fund also helps him treat work-related physical pain, further supporting his health and career longevity.
Behind these personal journeys are two community-focused initiatives. The Jockey Club Sunshine Neighbourhood Centre in Kwai Tsing, the first community hub under The Jockey Club Community Kitchen series, has served over 4,200 residents from more than 1,500 families. A recent survey showed that 98% of participants made new friends and strengthened community bonds, 96% of children expanded their social circles, and 98% felt healthier through the hub’s activities.
For families in transitional housing and light public housing, JC PROJECT LIFT offers support focused on lifting them out of poverty and building stable futures. The project’s systematic intervention model consists of five targeted social innovations. The Family Capacity Building Planner helps families identify their strengths and set development goals. The Family Capacity Building Fund provides subsidies ranging from HK$15,000 to HK$25,000 to help families achieve their development goals. The Jockey Club Level-Up Empowerment Employment Centre empowers individuals to identify their strengths, acquire new skills and create new job roles. An innovative savings scheme enables families to build their financial literacy. And the JC LIFT Hub aims to foster community support and well-being.
By fostering social connections, enhancing skills, and providing essential support, these projects help families overcome immediate challenges while building pathways out of intergenerational poverty. For thousands like Qiqi, the Keung family and Mr Chan, these initiatives offer not just practical solutions but also dignity, community and hope for the future.
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