Media Coverage on an Exploratory Study About the Need for Rehabilitative Housing for the Homeless

19 May 2025

The Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences of Saint Francis University collaborated with the Society for Community Organisation (SoCo) to conduct an exploratory study on the need for rehabilitative housing for the homeless, including their physical and mental health and addictive problems. A survey was conducted by questionnaire during May to July 2024, more than 90% of the 101 respondents had one or more physical illnesses, with dental problems being the most prevalent, followed by joint problems. More than half of the respondents suffered from depression, 16% from bipolar disorder, and 12% from trauma and stress-related disorders. Regarding addiction problem, more than 80% of the respondents were addicted to smoking, and nearly 90% had at least one type of other addiction problems, such as gambling, alcoholism and drug abuse.

The research team pointed out that 60% of government subsidised hostels have a six-month restriction period, and some are lacked of counselling services for addiction and rehabilitation treatment, thus the residents continuing to suffer from health and addiction problems, and become homeless again after moving out. The team suggested that a long-term living space of at least two years should first be allocated to homeless people, and rehabilitation services by professional treatment teams should be provided, helping them to recover physical and mental health, abstaining addiction problems, and reintegrate into the society.

Media coverage as follows:

RTHK: 'Improve temporary housing for the homeless




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