Politics
Tung Chung Voters to Decide Welfare Spending Shift for Elderly Care
Voters in Tung Chung will consider a ballot measure that would reallocate district funds toward expanded elderly care and family support services starting in 2027.
How we reported this
The Tung Chung Community Services Referendum proposes changes to how the district council directs portions of its annual welfare budget, affecting residents who rely on local centres for home care visits, after-school programmes and family counselling. The measure would shift existing allocations rather than raise new taxes, with the government stating it would apply to services delivered through the Tung Chung Municipal Services Building and nearby facilities.
The referendum appears on the September 2026 ballot because the current three-year funding cycle for social services ends in March 2027. District records show that demand for elder care in Tung Chung rose steadily after the opening of additional public housing estates between 2020 and 2024, prompting the council to seek voter approval for revised spending priorities before finalising the next budget cycle.
Effects on daily access to services
Under the proposed changes, Tung Chung residents aged 65 and older could receive an increase in the number of subsidised home visits per month, while families with children under 12 would see expanded slots at the two existing youth activity hubs. The legislation states that any approved funds must remain within the district boundaries and cannot be transferred to other Lantau projects.
Policy analysts note that the measure would draw from the district's share of the Hong Kong government's Social Welfare Department block grant, which totalled HK$87 million for Tung Chung in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Local advocates point out that current waiting lists for centre-based day care already exceed 300 households, according to the council's March 2026 service report.
If passed, the referendum would require the district council to publish quarterly spending updates and hold a public review meeting within six months of implementation. The government says the policy will take effect on 1 April 2027, with the first round of expanded service contracts issued by the end of that month.