Politics
Tsim Sha Tsui expands elderly care and counselling services from August
Tsim Sha Tsui residents will gain access to additional elderly care slots and family counselling hours from August under the district council allocation passed on July 7.
How we reported this
The Tsim Sha Tsui District Council on July 7 approved a motion to add HK$12 million to the Community Services Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The vote passed 12 to 5 during the regular monthly meeting at the Tsim Sha Tsui Community Hall. Funds will go toward expanding the Elderly Day Care Centre on Canton Road and increasing hours at the district's family support hotline.
Allocation Details from the Meeting
The approved package directs HK$7.5 million to the Elderly Day Care Centre, which currently serves 420 residents each month. Another HK$3 million will add 1,200 counselling sessions at the Tsim Sha Tsui Family Service Centre on Nathan Road. The remaining HK$1.5 million covers administrative costs for new intake staff. Council documents show the increase draws from unspent reserves in the 2025-26 district budget rather than new rates revenue.
Policy analysts note that Tsim Sha Tsui recorded 18,400 residents aged 65 and over in the 2021 census, the highest proportion among Kowloon districts. The additional day-care places are projected to serve 180 more seniors by December 2026. Local advocates note that current wait times at the Canton Road centre average nine weeks.
Effects on Resident Access and Costs
Under the new allocation, eligible seniors can apply for subsidised transport from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station to the day-care centre starting in September. Families using the hotline will receive an extra 40 evening slots per week. The district council states these changes will not alter existing fees, which remain at HK$80 per day for day care and HK$50 per counselling session for low-income households. Implementation will be handled by the Social Welfare Department through existing contracts with two local non-government organisations.
The next steps include public consultation sessions scheduled for July 22 and July 29 at the Tsim Sha Tsui Library. Applications for the expanded services open on August 1 through the district council website. The council will review uptake figures in its November meeting.