The government will introduce a new concept this year to assess Hong Kong’s poverty situation more accurately, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on a radio show on Friday.
This came after Chief Executive John Le Ka-chiu adopted in last year’s policy address the idea of targeted poverty alleviation, first raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping back in 2013.
Speaking on Friday, Chan said there exist certain deficiencies in Hong Kong’s existing poverty line, one of which is that it calculates only an individual’s income.
Giving an extreme example, Chan explained that a person would still be defined as poor even if that person holds multiple properties but has no income after retirement.
“It doesn’t sound very reasonable,” said Chan.
He revealed that the Commission on Poverty chaired by him is discussing with government economic advisers about a new concept to look into the poverty situation in Hong Kong, which is expected to be launched this year.
The no.2 official said if the poverty line is not accurate then it holds no useful benchmark for the government to make reference. Therefore, the government wishes to create a poverty line that can help formulate poverty policies and help volunteer groups provide services.
Chan hit back at claims of government policies being ineffective at alleviating poverty and said the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) serves as a safety net. Poverty alleviation work also includes helping those suffering from mental poverty.
One example would be the care teams visits to the elderly living alone.
Chan added that the government has written to real estate developers for the pilot plan to launch a community living room to provide additional living space for subdivided households. Discussions for about four to five projects are already underway.
He hopes that in the future every area flooded with subdivided homes will have at least one community living room.
Chan also said there are about 6,800 applicants for the Strive and Rise Programme, and some companies allow mentors to participate in program activities during working days without deducting leave and even provide subsidies.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 