The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     At the invitation of St. James' Settlement, the Salvation Army, the Christian Concern for the Homeless Association and the Society for Community Organization, the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services conducted a visit to street sleepers in various places last night (February 6) so as to better understand their living conditions and the corresponding social welfare service support.
 
     Members arrived at the Salvation Army Yee On Hostel and cubicle apartments in Sham Shui Po to learn more about the service arrangements for admission of homeless people to the Hostel and the housing problem faced by homeless people.  Members then visited street sleepers under the Tung Chau Street Flyover in Sham Shui Po and observed their living conditions.  Members also visited a McDonald's restaurant in Kowloon to understand the life of "McRefugees".
 
     During the visit, Members discussed and exchanged views with representatives from the four organisations on how to support street sleepers.
 
     The Panel on Welfare Services will discuss issues relating to the social welfare service support for street sleepers at its meeting next Monday (February 13).  The agenda and relevant papers can be found at the following website: http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr16-17/english/panels/ws/agenda/ws20170213.htm.
 
     Members who participated in the visit included the Chairman of the Panel, Mr Shiu Ka-chun, as well as Panel Members Mr Leung Yiu-chung, Mr Michael Tien, Dr Fernando Cheung, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Dr Pierre Chan, Mr Nathan Law and Dr Lau Siu-lai.

Ends/Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:15

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