The number of homeless people in Hong Kong has increased by 51 percent in five years.
In a written reply to questions from a lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung, Labour and Welfare Cecretary Dr Law Chi-kwong revealed the number of registered street sleepers in Hong Kong for the year 2017 /2018 was 1,127 compared to 746 in 2013/2014.
According to the figures, the majority of the 1,127 street sleepers are aged 50 to 69 (634), followed by those aged 30 to 49 (365).
The figures also revealed that the number of male street sleepers has increased by 18 percent from last year, and 70 per cent for women.
It was also revealed that of the 1,127 registered street sleepers, 56 percent are sleeping in a playground, park or car park; and 14 percent are sleeping under an overpass.
About 10 percent were classed as sleeping in “other” areas, which includes near public toilets, a pier, a bus stop and 24-hour restaurants.
This comes after a survey by NGO the Society for Community Organization (SoCO) revealed that the number of people sleeping in McDonald’s has increased by almost 50 percent from 2015.
According to the NGO, these so-called “McRefugees” cited high rents, unemployment, and safety among other things as reasons for seeking refuge in the 24-hour fast food branches.
