Homelessness in China

BY Mahwish Moiz. LAST REVISED ON August 20th, 2023.

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Homelessness in China is becoming unruly. Why and what can we do about it? This article explores China's worsening homelessness problem.

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Why people are homeless in China

i A homeless camp in Beijing China for migrant workers.People are homeless in China for many reasons. One reason is they are migrants trying to save up money to get a place of their own. The image above depicts a homeless camp for migrant workers in Beijing, China.

Homelessness is a severe social issue in China. People go homeless because of natural disasters, migration, and discrimination.

China is prone to natural disasters. These unstoppable forces displace many people from their homes. An excellent example is the Yunnan earthquake of 2000. This disaster caused over 92,000 people to go homeless. Thus, people have nowhere to go when a catastrophe destroys their communities. They have no choice but to make do with the little they have. They can also move to a better place, which brings us to migration.

Migration from rural to urban areas is a common occurrence in Asian nations. With the world’s largest population, China is especially vulnerable to it. The massive wealth inequality doesn’t help either. People migrate from their rural homes to urban cities in hopes of a better life. They seek better employment opportunities and facilities like education. The cities already have large populations, though. They have limited resources as it is, so the migrants have a hard time getting their share. While slums are available, even housing can be unaffordable for the unfortunate ones. Thus, they have no choice but to settle for a life of homelessness.

Discrimination is yet another social aspect that contributes to homelessness. Citizens all over the world face discrimination over something. In China, the two most glaring reasons appear to be mental sickness and old age. Mentally disabled people find it difficult to maintain ties. This becomes especially true when families migrate. According to a study in Xiangtan, over 2400 schizophrenic individuals went homeless. Homelessness has also been common among people of old age. Many elderly individuals separate from their families, especially if they are sick. Homeless children is also an issue in the country.

Aside from these major reasons, there is another severe issue China contends with. The Cultural Revolution destroyed many child welfare homes. This has caused many children to face abandonment. The number of homeless children stands at a grim 66,000.

The parts of China that have the greatest problems with homelessness

Mega-cities like Beijing and Shanghai face the greatest problems with homelessness. These cities are the urban centers that attract the rural masses. But, since they are already very crowded, they don’t have enough resources for the migrants. The migrants have no choice but to settle for whatever little they can have. They end up living in flimsy shelters made of cardboard or wood. You can also find them on pavements, under flyovers, or on the streets.

Aside from a lack of shelter, these homeless people face other problems. They suffer from addiction, abuse, harassment, and general discrimination. This is especially true for homeless women and children. Their condition becomes a stigma in society. People rarely treat them with respect and tend to avoid them. Thus, homeless people feel very isolated and alien in these cities.

What the country is doing to reduce homelessness

Social workers in China spend considerable time and energy helping the homeless. For starters, they prop up drop-in centers. These places are open 24/7 and provide the homeless with shelter, food, and water. It’s also worth noting that they allow the homeless to find and bond with others like them. This gives them a strong sense of community and belonging.

Soup kitchens that serve free soup to the homeless 24/7 also exist all over the country. They are either run by NGOs or empathetic individuals. Another common sight is 24-hour bookshops for the homeless. An excellent example is Sanlian Taofen, which is open to the homeless in Beijing. People are welcome to not only read books but also spend the night there.

Some organizations use public funding to offer a range of services to the homeless. These services include free movie nights, haircuts, and even table tennis. These forms of entertainment are enough to make the homeless feel better.

What the government is doing to prevent homelessness in China

The Chinese government tries to help the homelessness by offering alternate solutions. Many homeless people in the cities are migrants. They either live in the city or small towns nearby. The government usually sends them back to their rural homes. A prominent policy here is limiting a person's stay at a shelter to only ten days. Sometimes, the government compensates them or grants them housing in rebuilt buildings.

These are also the actions that the government plans to take in the future. It will continue to force migrants to return to their rural homes or grant them homes somewhere else.

What citizens can do to help end homelessness

As a citizen, you may not bring drastic improvements for the homeless. But, you can change your attitudes for the better.

For starters, every citizen must make it a point to empathize with homeless people. This can include things like greeting them, talking to them, or even smiling at them. Acknowledgment of their existence as worthy human beings is essential.

It is also possible to prepare special care packages for the homeless. These could include food, water, and clothes that will help them get through another day. Volunteering at drop-in centers, food banks, or local shelters will also have an impact. Not only will it allow you to help the homeless, but it will also make it easier for you to empathize with them.

You can make donations to charities or programs geared towards ending homelessness. Such programs need all the funds they can get to have a positive impact on the lives of the homeless. Even a paltry amount donated by you can go a long way in helping the needy.

You could also consider becoming an advocate for the homeless. This can include educating people about the plight of the homeless. You can also fight for the rights of those who face constant harassment. By raising awareness like this, you can improve the lives of the homeless.

Who can help if you are homeless in China

Social workers and NGOs can help you. They can guide you to drop-in centers, soup kitchens, and other helpful places. They can even help you find a decent place to live for the long term.

Summary

Homelessness is a crisis in China that affects thousands of people. The government adopts a hardline approach for its elimination, which is a mistake. It is important to realize that they are also human beings who deserve empathy. You can play your part by educating yourself and others and by helping the homeless in any way you can. Homelessness may be a critical problem, but it doesn’t have to be that way for long.

further reading

This article focused exclusively on homelessness in china. What it focused little to none on, however, is why homelessness is a social problem...

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WANT TO KNOW WHY HOMELESSNESS IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM?

Read "Why Homelessness is a Social Problem - top 4 unobvious reasons."

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key takeaways

  • Natural disasters, migration, and discrimination are responsible for homelessness in China.
  • Mega-cities like Beijing and Shanghai face the greatest problems with homelessness. People migrate towards them from rural areas in the hopes of a better life.
  • Social workers operate drop-in centers and soup kitchens to help the homeless. They also offer free services like haircuts and entertainment.
  • The Chinese government forces homeless migrants to return to their rural areas. It also restricts their ability to occupy shelters over the long term.
  • You can help the homeless by spreading awareness and advocating for their rights.
  • As a homeless person, you can seek help from relevant NGOs and social workers.
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