March 28, 2017  Memo to Legco: Info from Australia, USA

Dear Legco Members, here is some "one stone, two birds" information that will help save money and deal with a growing social problem in Hong Kong.

A University of Melbourne study shows that it's significantly cheaper for governments to provide last-resort housing than to have people continuing to sleep on the streets, when factors like health and crime are considered. See: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-16/cheaper-to-provide-homes-for-homeless-rather-sleep-rough/8354284?WT.ac=localnews_melbourne

This theory has already been put into practice by a number of places around the world - like Utah in the US where homelessness has been reduced by 91%, thus cutting government expenses. See the encouraging video here: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/utah-homelessness-cut-91-percent/

Meanwhile in Hong Kong, the number of homeless people and the associated cost of homelessness are increasing, not decreasing. I hope the new government team will follow the example of Utah.