Hong Kong committee visits community living room, reviews poverty relief progress
The seventh Precision Poverty Alleviation Committee held its second meeting and visited Tsuen Wan West Community Living Room, which has served over 120,000 visits since June. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the government will expand the community living room scheme to serve about 10,000 subdivide
The seventh Precision Poverty Alleviation Committee held its second meeting on 12 November and visited the Tsuen Wan West Community Living Room, the first such project in the New Territories, which opened in June. The project is led by the government, with venue provided by the Shaw Foundation (Hong Kong) Limited, operating costs funded by the Caring for All Foundation, and daily operations run by the Young Women's Christian Association of Hong Kong, demonstrating collaboration among government, business and civil society under the government's precision poverty alleviation strategy. As of 31 August, the living room had served more than 120,000 visits.
During the visit, committee members noted that the facility includes shared living room, cooking and dining space, a study area for children, self-service laundry and drying equipment, as well as a training room for children with special needs, a children's play area, a music room, a youth zone, a science and technology education activity room and a women's talent development room, catering to various community needs.
To extend the living room's services, the facility provides targeted support for members who care for children with special needs, including parenting training and learning support. Committee members spoke with beneficiary families and heard that users praised the facility's comprehensive equipment and considerate services, saying hardware and software support complemented each other to fulfil the living room's multiple support functions.
At the meeting, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026–2030) and this year's Policy Address both uphold a people-based governance philosophy, clearly proposing greater precision poverty alleviation efforts and the addition of more community living rooms for subdivided-flat households. These living rooms provide diversified facilities and referral to social welfare services, helping residents improve living standards, expand social networks and strengthen community belonging. The total number of community living rooms in Hong Kong has increased to 18, expected to serve about 10,000 subdivided-flat households in total, with new projects to be launched before the end of this year.
Mr Chan added that, as the committee has included carers in the precision poverty alleviation target group, community living rooms will strengthen their poverty relief and mutual aid functions. The support services for members caring for children with special needs at Tsuen Wan West Community Living Room exemplify this enhanced function. Committee members noted the progress and supported continued collaboration among government, business and civil society to provide more suitable assistance to families and carers in need.
