“Homeless Forced Out: Tai Kok Tsui Clearing Operations Leave Vulnerable Without Shelter”

There used to be many homeless people sleeping on the pedestrian tunnel and flyover in Tai Kok Tsui. Tonglushe, a social welfare organization concerned with the homeless, found that after the clearance operations in February and April this year, the authorities used the name of “beautification project” to Hundreds of rubber horses were placed in tunnels and overpasses, leaving the homeless with no shelter, and the organization lost contact with some homeless people. Some street sleepers described the toughness of the clearing as “unprecedented.” Living on the street is already quite dangerous, but losing a temporary place to live makes the homeless even more desperate.

Tonglushe deeply regrets and worries about the tough homeless clearing operation in Tai Kok Tsui District. It reiterates that the clearing action cannot solve the homeless problem. It is suggested that the authorities should notify the affected people at least two months before the clearing. Social welfare agencies serving the homeless in the district also need to know so as to provide more appropriate support for the homeless in the district.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Yau Tsim Mong District Office, the Social Welfare Department and other departments, on February 24 and April 25, respectively, carried out two large-scale and tough operations on the Cherry Street Pedestrian Subway, Tong Mi Road, and the Argyle Street Pedestrian Bridge. clearing action. After the homeless people left the area, the authorities placed a large number of fences on the site to completely seal off the area. About 20 homeless people were forced to disperse to other places to live temporarily.

According to the “Partial Enclosure” notice on the site, the purpose of the relevant actions was to beautify public facilities and keep the environment clean. However, the authorities have not taken any follow-up actions since the completion of the clearing operation. Half of the space in the tunnel and overpass has been occupied by fences so far. Since the two clearing operations, Tung Lu She received a case for help and lost contact with some service users at the same time.

Uncle K (pseudonym), who has lived in the pedestrian tunnel on Cherry Street for more than a year, said that after his belongings were cleared, he can only rest at a nearby 24-hour laundry at night. Including an Octopus that has received vouchers.

“I saw people who used to “live together” in the tunnel and then turned to the flyover to rest, but within two months, the flyover was also cleared.” Uncle K pointed out that he is currently looking for covered, unenclosed tunnels in the area. It is very difficult to rest in an open space, leaving the homeless feeling hopeless.

Image source: Tonglushe