In recent days on social media in mainland China, videos of homeowners renovating and moving into unfinished buildings have gone viral, sparking widespread discussion and sympathy. These videos show homeowners in unfinished residential buildings starting to tidy up their homes, painting walls, laying floors, moving furniture, and attempting to live in these incomplete residences.
Many of these homeowners find themselves living in unfinished buildings due to various reasons, such as the inability to afford rent elsewhere, ongoing mortgage payments, and the lack of completion of the purchased property. They have taken matters into their own hands, turning these raw spaces into makeshift homes, facing challenges like climbing several flights of stairs daily to fetch water and living without proper electrical connections or elevators.
The videos circulating on Weibo have garnered attention and compassion from netizens, with many expressing sympathy for these homeowners who are facing a difficult situation. Some have pointed out that individual renovations and occupancy will not address the root problem of unfinished construction projects, advocating for collective action among residents to push for project completion and legal delivery of properties.
There have been similar cases in various cities across China in recent years, with homeowners moving into stagnant construction projects out of necessity. One such example is the ongoing situation in Guizhou Kelie, where residents of the Kaiyuan Second Phase Y District have started occupying unfinished buildings and organizing their living spaces on their own due to the prolonged construction halt.
For instance, in 2026, 11 residential buildings in the Y District of the Kaiyuan Second Phase community had been stalled for about five years, leaving homeowners in a dilemma of managing both mortgage payments and rent while waiting for the completion of their properties. Despite their efforts to renovate and personalize their living spaces, the projects remain unfinished and undelivered officially.
The plight of these homeowners extends beyond just makeshift living conditions; it represents a cycle of financial burden, with some individuals struggling to balance mortgage payments, rent, and basic living expenses. This has led to situations where families like Cao Yingying’s have had to compromise and move into unfinished properties despite their initial hopes of a comfortable and complete household.
Similar stories have emerged from cities like Xi’an and Kunming, where residents have faced challenges in securing fully functional and completed homes despite investing in property ownership. The heartbreaking reality of these homeowners’ situations underscores the need for government intervention and accountability in addressing the widespread issue of unfinished housing projects.
As these residents navigate the uncharted territory of living in incomplete buildings, they are met with various hardships such as limited access to utilities, safety concerns, and the lack of essential amenities like gas and elevators. Their resilience and determination to create a semblance of a home in these incomplete spaces highlight the complexities and struggles they endure as they strive for a stable and secure living environment.
The stories of these homeowners reflect a harsh reality where the dream of owning a comfortable and fully equipped home is shattered by the harsh truths of incomplete construction projects and financial constraints. Despite their efforts to make the best of their situation, the challenges they face underscore the urgent need for systemic solutions and support from relevant authorities to ensure the well-being and safety of all residents affected by unfinished housing projects.