Home Comforts
Home Comforts
Many refugees arriving in Hong Kong have fled from their homes as a result of war, violence or persecution. There are approximately 13,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong, often waiting for as long as 15-20 years for the results of their appeals. They are mostly surviving on subsistence level Government welfare (of about HK$3200 per person, per month, for housing, food and transport) which often means living in substandard housing, including subdivided units. These deplorable living conditions can often lead to additional psychosocial distress as well as health issues. Children lack appropriate spaces for schoolwork or even play. In addition, there are often little to no cooking facilities.
Since 2022, Zeshan Foundation has funded Christian Action’s Centre for Refugees (CRF), Hong Kong’s largest NGO programme for asylum seeker support, to implement the Community Resilience Project, a major home assessment and repairs project addressing the worst offending housing situations.
Community Resilience Project includes three pillars:
1) Visiting 200 homes for a basic medical and psychosocial screening to understand the vulnerability and needs of the client and their housing conditions e.g. mould, leakages, safety, as well as storage facilities, adequate lighting etc.
2) Organising necessary home repairs, maintenance, rubbish removal, pest control and provision of ad-hoc household items, all designed to improve the quality of life for the resident.
3) Delivering training programmes for:
a) volunteers who are in attendance at the home visits,
b) fire safety and hygiene training for the clients and
c) additional training for clients on how to conduct basic small home repairs themselves.
The Community Resilience Project is currently underway. Most home visits have taken place and resulting pest control, repairs, maintenance and provision of sundry items and training are in progress.
CRF prides itself on creating a home-away-from-home experience for more than 600 refugee clients in Hong Kong. We are also very pleased to support this initiative in an effort to create a safer, healthier, brighter home environment for families who deserve a future with hope and dignity.
Kristine Nudds
Relationship Manager
Christian Action – Centre for Refugees
Many refugees arriving in Hong Kong have fled from their homes as a result of war, violence or persecution. There are approximately 13,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong, often waiting for as long as 15-20 years for the results of their appeals. They are mostly surviving on subsistence level Government welfare (of about HK$3200 per person, per month, for housing, food and transport) which often means living in substandard housing, including subdivided units. These deplorable living conditions can often lead to additional psychosocial distress as well as health issues. Children lack appropriate spaces for schoolwork or even play. In addition, there are often little to no cooking facilities.
Since 2022, Zeshan Foundation has funded Christian Action’s Centre for Refugees (CRF), Hong Kong’s largest NGO programme for asylum seeker support, to implement the Community Resilience Project, a major home assessment and repairs project addressing the worst offending housing situations.
Community Resilience Project includes three pillars:
1) Visiting 200 homes for a basic medical and psychosocial screening to understand the vulnerability and needs of the client and their housing conditions e.g. mould, leakages, safety, as well as storage facilities, adequate lighting etc.
2) Organising necessary home repairs, maintenance, rubbish removal, pest control and provision of ad-hoc household items, all designed to improve the quality of life for the resident.
3) Delivering training programmes for:
a) volunteers who are in attendance at the home visits,
b) fire safety and hygiene training for the clients and
c) additional training for clients on how to conduct basic small home repairs themselves.
The Community Resilience Project is currently underway. Most home visits have taken place and resulting pest control, repairs, maintenance and provision of sundry items and training are in progress.
CRF prides itself on creating a home-away-from-home experience for more than 600 refugee clients in Hong Kong. We are also very pleased to support this initiative in an effort to create a safer, healthier, brighter home environment for families who deserve a future with hope and dignity.
Kristine Nudds
Relationship Manager
Christian Action – Centre for Refugees