Hong Kong lawmakers vote down homeless shelter because it lacks air conditioners
Pan-democrats change focus of opposition after project designs were revised following their earlier objections
Lawmakers voted down a long-overdue plan to build a new homeless shelter in Yau Ma Tei because it was not air-conditioned.
The rejection by members of the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee on Monday means a project to build an extension of the Yau Ma Tei theatre will also be put on hold.
Pan-democrats branded the project – on top of a planned rubbish collection station – “inhumane” and “unacceptable”.
The funding request was voted down by 21 to 17. It was also opposed by Tommy Cheung Yu-yan of the Liberal Party, but his party colleague Frankie Yick Chi-ming voted in favour.
Cheung said after the meeting that he made a mistake and had meant to vote “yes”.
The HK$230 million plan involves relocating the existing refuse collection point and street sleepers’ shelter in Shanghai Street to a new site in Hau Cheung Street, 400 metres away.
Both facilities now share a block next to the Yau Ma Tei Theatre – a venue for Cantonese opera. The government planned to extend the theatre after the two facilities were moved.
The project has been on the table for almost four years. Pan-democrats initially rejected the idea of housing people above a rubbish collection station and demanded the design be revised to minimise the nuisance to the street sleepers.
The officials do not think street sleepers deserve to enjoy air conditioning
Their concerns were addressed, the design was revised and the project was endorsed by the public works subcommittee last month.
But at Monday’s meeting, legislators turned to the lack of air conditioning.
Non-affiliated lawmaker Wong Yuk-man said: “It is sheer discrimination. The officials do not think street sleepers deserve to enjoy air conditioning.”
Leung Kwok-hung of the League of Social Democrats echoed Wong’s views and added: “Installing air conditioners is not expensive. But the electricity bill could be very high. The government should pay for the operator.”
Pro-establishment lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok, who represents the performing arts and culture sector, attacked the pan-democrats for creating excuses to block a much-needed project.
Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Angela Lee Chung-yan said: “The operator of the shelter decided not to install air conditioning because it involves additional recurrent expenditure – about HK$7,000 to HK$8,000 a month.”
The chairman of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, Liza Wang Ming-chuen, expressed “extreme disappointment” and said: “The theatre is very small and there is not sufficient space even for backstage facilities and actors to practise.”
The delay in expanding the theatre “would hinder the development of Cantonese opera and the training of talents”.
The Home Affairs Bureau said the vetoing of the funding request only resulted in a “no-win” situation. A spokesman said the legislature and district council had been consulted on the project since 2011. He said the bureau hoped to secure the support of lawmakers in the next term of the Legco.
