Down, out and waiting to be evicted
Many of the 17 homeless people living under a flyover have ignored a notice to leave
Homeless people living under a flyover in Yau Ma Tei are worried that officials may come any time to grab their few belongings and force them out to make way for "greening work" and a park for pets.
The 17 street sleepers who live under the flyover in Ferry Street received notices to move elsewhere early last month while about 200 heavy flower pots have been installed along the now partly fenced-off area.
Mike, a 35-year-old Indian refugee who came to Hong Kong in 2007, set up home under the flyover three years ago.
He could not work because of his refugee status and could not afford the initial deposit to rent accommodation.
"I am very angry … who will give me the money to rent a place?" he asked.
John, 36 and of Nepalese origin, was also angry that the government would rather use millions of dollars for flower pots instead of helping to relocate them.
"It's noisy and hot here and there's no electricity, so I could not read, write, sing and play my guitar … but we have a happy life with the Indians and others."
