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Hong Kong’s homeless population increased last year because of the pandemic, and a local NGO is raising funds to help them. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong NGO ImpactHK appeals for funds to help homeless find work and accommodation, as their numbers grow

  • The number of homeless in the city has increased over the past year amid the pandemic, with border closures alone leaving at least 500 people without a home
  • ImpactHK employs homeless people at a cafe and community centre, and serves 3,000 meals a week around the city

A recent survey has confirmed what many feared: that the pandemic has left hundreds of Hongkongers homeless.

Compiled by seven NGOs during an overnight headcount conducted in July, the Hong Kong Homeless Census 2021 – released in October – puts the number of people without a fixed residence at 1,532, an almost 20 per cent increase on the previous year.

They include more than 500 who had previously commuted between Hong Kong and China until border crossing restrictions grounded them in the city. The survey also found that 64 per cent were sleeping in the streets, with 14 per cent living in subsidised temporary accommodation and 22 per cent in NGO-run hostels. The main reason given for being homeless was high rents.

“The price of property makes it almost impossible to get out of homelessness,” says Jeff Rotmeyer, founder of ImpactHK, one of the NGOs behind the survey, and a charity that works to tackle the city’s homelessness problem by helping people re-enter the workforce and building up their self-esteem.

A homeless person shelters under a bridge near the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

To help alleviate the growing problem – one that becomes more pressing as colder weather approaches – ImpactHK has launched a fundraising campaign on crowdfunding platform SparkRaise with a target of reaching HK$1 million by December 24.

“Everyone deserves a place to call home – safe housing is a basic human right,” says Rotmeyer. “But every night in Hong Kong hundreds of people are sleeping on the streets as the temperatures drop.”

Pandemic has left hundreds of Hongkongers homeless, NGO survey finds

Each week ImpactHK serves 3,000 meals at 11 locations, supporting 475 street sleepers. These services are crucial, says Rotmeyer, but it is jobs that get people off the streets.

“Meals and shelter are vital, but employment gives people purpose and the right job can end homelessness,” he says. “Access to work can create long-term change, empowering people to be independent.”

One of many to have benefited from ImpactHK’s approach is Kan Kwok-cheong. Formerly homeless, Kan is now an assistant at the charity’s community centre. “Now I have a proper job,” he says, “and through my work I can help others.”

ImpactHK Community Centre assistant Kan Kwok-cheong. Photo: Kevin Liu/ImpactHK

In 2020, ImpactHK opened 1ofaKind, a shop selling sample clothing donated by brands that not only raises revenue for the charity but also employs street sleepers and recycles clothes that would otherwise end up in landfills. Last month it launched My Kinda Cafe, which provides work for those who find themselves on the streets. Profits go towards supporting the charity’s shelter, care and employment opportunity services.

Donations to ImpactHK’s Christmas appeal can be made via crowdfunding platform SparkRaise. All proceeds go directly to the charity.


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