Hong Kong's McSleepers
Late-night fast food outlets have long been a refuge for late night revelers. The recent death of a homeless woman in a 24-hour McDonald's in Hong Kong's Kowloon Bay in October 2015, however, brings to light the phenomena of the fast food restaurants as shelters for both the poor and the lonely, known as McSleepers or McRefugees.
According to Professor Wong Hung in the Department of Social Work at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the city's homeless epidemic is the product of surging prices and a huge wealth gap. The "new homeless" often have jobs, but still struggle financially. They are the working poor.
In this photo, a man sleeps with his head on a table at a 24-hour McDonald's in Hong Kong, November 10, 2015.
McSleepers
Men sleep at a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant in Hong Kong, November 10, 2015. In recent years, the 24-hour restaurants, opening all over the city, have become popular alternatives for people to spend the night in a safer and more comfortable way than on the street.
The Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report of 2012 indicated that nearly 20% of the population lived below the poverty line. A census done in 2004 showed that one-fifth of the homeless were under 40.
McSleepers
An alarm clock is seen on a table as a man sleeps on a pillow at a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant in Hong Kong, November 11, 2015.
Though there was a brief improvement when the economy regained a foothold after the recession, Professor Wong said the numbers have increased since 2014. He describes the "new homeless" as people who have jobs or want one and can't afford a place to sleep in the facing of rising rents. Wong says the cost of travel to and from work contributes to the problem.
McSleepers
A man sits with his belongings at night in a 24-hour McDonald's in Hong Kong, November 9, 2015.
According to the South China Morning Post many of the neighborhoods that have been a source of cheap housing are being redeveloped, reducing the supply of cheap or affordable housing for the working poor. Even just a bed in a group dormitory situation can cost 250 USD a month.
McSleepers
A contributing factor to the McSleeper phenomena is social isolation, creating a situation in which people who have no support network are attracted to the noise and bustle of McDonalds.
McSleepers
Men sleep at a 24-hour McDonald's as people read newspapers behind them (R), in Hong Kong, November 11, 2015.
Warm, cheap food and air conditioning they can't afford elsewhere are part of the attractions to sleeping at McDonald's.
McSleepers
A man sleeps with his belongings at night in a 24-hour McDonald's at night in Hong Kong, November 9, 2015.
McSleepers
Birds fly past a sign of 24-hour McDonald's restaurant at sunrise in Hong Kong, November 11, 2015.
There are 235 McDonald's restaurants in Hong Kong.
McSleepers
Men sleep at a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant in Hong Kong, November 11, 2015.
McSleepers
A man sleeps at a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant in Hong Kong, November 10, 2015.
McSleepers
Two men sleep in booths at a 24-hour McDonald's in Hong Kong, November 11, 2015.
McSleepers
A man walks past a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant in Hong Kong, November 10, 2015.