SRO: The Life of Huang JieXi

Huang JieXi is a 94 year old grandma living in a SRO (single-room occupancy) at chinatown San Francisco. Prior to this interview, grandma Huang was hospitalize. She lives by herself but her children do visit to take care of her.
Single Room Occupancies (SROs) in Chinatown, San Francisco, typically offer very basic living conditions. Residents usually have small individual rooms, often no larger than 8 by 10 feet, which may include a bed, a small dresser, and sometimes a sink. Bathrooms and kitchens are typically shared among multiple residents, leading to limited privacy and potential overcrowding.
These buildings are often older and may not be well-maintained, leading to issues like poor ventilation, inadequate heating, and pest problems. Despite these conditions, SROs provide an affordable housing option in a city with high living costs. The community atmosphere can be strong, with residents forming close-knit relationships and supporting one another. However, the density and shared facilities can also lead to challenges, such as noise and hygiene issues.
In Chinatown, many SRO residents are low-income individuals, including seniors and immigrants, who rely on these units as their primary housing option. The cultural and social fabric of Chinatown provides a sense of belonging and support for these residents despite the often challenging living conditions.