Chinatown Seniors Choose Eight-By-Ten Rooms

Many seniors in San Francisco's Chinatown live alone in single-room occupancy units averaging only 8 by 10 feet, and some choose them over moving in with family in the suburbs. Developers originally built these rooms for single Chinese laborers who arrived during the late 19th century, many seeking railroad work. Today, Chinatown's familiar languages, affordable rents, food, doctors, and social life keep some seniors close to their community, while suburban living can make transportation and Asian services harder to access. About 1,600 Chinatown seniors live alone, even though most SRO buildings lack elevators, private bathrooms, and kitchens.

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