Existing services have given sufficient support to men distressed by family problems, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says, adding there is no need to provide additional temporary accommodation services for them.

Dr Chow told lawmakers the Government is committed to providing services to men distressed by family problems, including family violence.

The Integrated Family Service Centres operated by the Social Welfare Department or non-governmental organisations, and the department's Family & Child Protective Services Units provide such services, he said.

In October 2001, the department commissioned the Caritas-Hong Kong to operate the first Family Crisis Support Centre in Hong Kong. The centre offers distressed individuals temporary accommodation for retreat and provides professional counselling on how to handle crisis and avoid tragedy triggered by impulsive acts.

447 men admitted to centre

Between March 2002 and January 2005, a total of 2,526 users had been admitted to the centre, including 447 male users. About 60% of them had encountered conflicts or difficulties in their marital relationship, while others were plagued by problems relating to parent-child relations, financial hardship, extramarital affairs or emotional problems.

About 14% of the 60,000 calls to the centre's hotline were from men.

Social workers will refer men to the centre if they require temporary accommodation due to family problems. They can get short-term accommodation on a case-by-case basis, and help to cope with their emotional problems and find positive ways to solve their family problems.

Social workers may also refer them to hostels for single people operated by non-governmental organisations to meet their accommodation needs.

Compassionate rehousing arrangements

"If they have genuine housing needs, with sufficient social and medical reasons and are eligible for public rental housing, the department will consider recommending them for compassionate rehousing," Dr Chow said.

Under the compassionate rehousing arrangements, a Conditional Tenancy Scheme is available to help those who are assuming custody of children and in divorce proceedings to meet their genuine housing needs while awaiting the court decision on their divorce applications.