The number of homeless people is on the rise during the epidemic.
A recent survey pointed out that the number of homeless people in Hong Kong reached 1,500, an increase of nearly 20% from before the epidemic. More than half of the homeless people interviewed were sleeping for the first time. The research team believes that the increase in the number is related to the epidemic.
The survey also revealed that their physical and mental health is poor, and the government is urged to face up to the problem of the homeless and formulate corresponding policies to prevent them from re-entering homeless life.
According to the survey, the number of homeless people in Hong Kong at the time of its emergence was 1,532, an increase of 18.2% in two years.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
The "Hong Kong Homeless Population Survey 2021" was conducted from 7 pm on July 9 to 3 am on July 10 this year. More than 300 students from 19 tertiary institutions and six service organizations (including CUHK Yunus Social Business Center, Tonglushe, Hong Kong Association of Community Organizations, Christian Care for the Homeless, The Salvation Army, St. James’ Settlement, and Mercy HK) are divided into 80 volunteer teams. The family members include street sleepers on the street and in public places, roommates living in dormitories/social houses, and homeless people living in hotels for interviews.
According to the survey, the number of homeless people in Hong Kong at the time of its emergence was 1,532, an increase of 18.2% in two years.
Among them, about 65% (64.2%) are street sleepers, 15% are homeless people temporarily renting hotels, and the rest are people temporarily living in dormitories of non-governmental organizations.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
According to the survey, the number of homeless people in Hong Kong at the time of its emergence was 1,532, an increase of 18.2% in two years.
Among them, about 65% (64.2%) are street sleepers, 15% are homeless people temporarily renting hotels, and the rest are people temporarily living in dormitories of non-governmental organizations.
More than 60% (63%) of the homeless live in Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong districts, and street sleepers are mostly concentrated in parks, stadiums or parking lots.
The study found that many "newcomers" have joined the ranks of street sleepers. More than half (51.2%) of the homeless are street sleepers for the first time, and about one-third of them spend less than six months on the street. The research team believes that the increase in the number is related to the epidemic.
Nearly half (47.2%) of the homeless were forced to live on the streets because rents were too expensive and two and half (27.2%) said they were unemployed and unable to afford daily expenses.
Nearly 40% of homeless people have long-term illnesses
The survey also revealed that the mental and physical health of the homeless is worthy of attention. Nearly 40% (39%) of the homeless have chronic illnesses, and 25% (25.4%) have taken psychotropic drugs in the past 6 months.
Ah Chou became homeless 13 years ago. He was in the catering industry and suffered financial difficulties due to unemployment. He lived on the streets three times.
He once got a long-term job, but because of the epidemic that hit the catering industry, he was unemployed again.
He said that in the past he had moved into temporary dormitories and rented space capsules by himself with the help of community agencies. However, due to the complex flow of people and the unsatisfactory living environment, he became homeless again. "There are psyllids in the dormitory environment. There are daoists living in them, and there are more than 30 people sharing two toilets. It's hard work and afraid of danger."
Until June of this year, Ah Qiu participated in the transitional housing and hotel project. Fortunately, he was selected to be able to temporarily escape from the street sleeping situation. However, he was worried that he could not find a job and save enough money before the end of the project to move to another residence. At that time, we will have to face the street-sleeping life again.
Ms. Jiang is an orphan. After returning to Hong Kong, she could not rely on her family. She used to sleep and look for work in Tsim Sha Tsui, but she is still unemployed.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
Unemployed for a long time due to the return of orphans epidemic
Another homeless person is Miss Jiang. She used to live in the Mainland and became homeless after returning to Hong Kong last month.
When Ms. Jiang lived in the Mainland, she was living in a catering industry, but under the influence of the epidemic, she was unable to work and became a member of the unemployed army.
She used to collect paper and aluminum cans in the mainland to earn a meager income, and only earn more than 20 yuan a day. She said that because she felt unable to survive in the mainland, she decided to return to her birthplace to try and find a way out. The corresponding community agency helps.
However, Ms. Jiang is an orphan. After returning to Hong Kong, she could not rely on her family. She used to sleep and look for work in Tsim Sha Tsui, but she is still unemployed.
Wu Weidong, the secretary of the social association organization, said that the homeless usually come into contact with at least eight different government departments, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Civil Affairs Department, the Department of Health, and the Social Welfare Department. He hopes that the government can understand their difficulties in using peace of mind to travel.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
The investigation team recommended that the government provide the homeless with outreach and medical-society cooperation model of primary medical services. Through close contact between the two parties, the situation of street sleepers can be followed up for a long time to change their physical and mental health.
Based on the fact that the government’s current emergency accommodation for the homeless is mainly for three months to six months, the investigation team hopes that the government can reserve a certain percentage for emergency accommodation for the homeless when setting up transitional housing.
The team also urged the government to consider increasing the length of accommodation so that the homeless have enough time to find a stable job, as well as reserve enough funds for renting private accommodation in the future, without the need to sleep again.
The research group also mentioned that the government should respond to the earlier proposal to convert existing industrial buildings into transitional housing and provide more vacant units, hoping to help the homeless get out of the street-sleeping situation, but in recent years it has repeatedly enclosed the underpasses and closed the stadium at night. The practice of sprinkling smelly water in the park or discarding the personal belongings of the homeless when clearing the venue. The group believes that the government should establish a friendly homeless policy to allow them to receive basic human rights and respect.
Homeless Ms. Jiang said that when she first used Anxin to travel, she mistakenly thought that a data card was required to use the relevant programs.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
The homeless mistakenly think that they need a data card to travel with peace of mind
In response to the recent announcement by the government that it will be necessary to travel in and out of government buildings starting next month, the research team pointed out that the homeless will face many difficulties, such as they do not have enough money to buy a phone, or they are likely to lose their phones due to the different places where they sleep.
For older homeless people, they may not know how to download programs. Homeless Ms. Jiang said that when she first used Anxin to travel, she mistakenly thought that a data card was needed to use the relevant programs.
Wu Weidong, the secretary of the social association organization, said that the homeless usually come into contact with at least eight different government departments, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Civil Affairs Department, the Department of Health, and the Social Welfare Department. He hopes that the government can understand their difficulties in using peace of mind to travel.
The government building will be forced to travel with peace of mind next month to urge the government to provide a plan that does not affect the homeless. The homeless policy is passed 4 years ago and has not yet been implemented. District councillors urge the authorities to accept innovative proposals. Request a receipt or proof of the item
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