Hong Kong’s new poverty metrics won’t change duty to those in need
Whether household income or a more holistic framework is used to gauge poverty, it is important that the most vulnerable don’t slip through the safety net
Referring to the various programmes created for the three target groups – subdivided flat residents, single-parent families and all-elderly households – the authorities said they had met or exceeded all key performance indicators (KPIs).
For instance, the Community Living Room that provides laundry, cooking and studying facilities for subdivided flat tenants reported over 70 per cent improvement in their sense of belonging, extended living space and interpersonal relationships. Under the School-based After School Care Scheme, over 80 per cent of parents, guardians or students reflected improvement in work-family conflict and other indicators. The scheme enabled homemakers to return to work and earn an average of about HK$3,500 (US$450) more each month.
Defending the new approach, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said the shift from the income-based poverty line enabled the government to provide more all-round services.