Determinants of food insecurity in homeless people: evidence from the territory-wide homeless census in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE

With the re-emerging homelessness issue in Hong Kong, given its least affordable housing, securing food to meet the basic physiological needs is of priority concern for the homeless. This study aims to examine the situation and determinants of food insecurity among the homeless in Hong Kong.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey on food insecurity level, socio-demographic characteristics, homeless experiences and health status and behaviours.

SETTING

360 community hot spots of homeless people identified by NGO and experienced social workers in different districts of Hong Kong in 2021.

PARTICIPANTS

711 individuals experiencing homelessness.

RESULTS

The observed prevalence of low, medium and high food insecurity levels was 37·4 %, 20·4 % and 42·2 %, respectively. Results from multivariable ordinal logistic regression showed that older, female, non-Chinese and non-married respondents were inversely associated with food insecurity, whereas having sufficient savings for more proper housing was the primary determinant among socio-economic indicators. In addition to reasons for homelessness, risk factors of food insecurity included living in guesthouses/hotels and difficulties due to government measures on homeless control. Except for disability, both self-rated physical and mental health statuses showed dose-response relationships with food insecurity level.

CONCLUSIONS

The substantial individual variations in socio-demographic statuses, homeless experiences and health deficits shaped the differential risks of food insecurity within the homeless community in Hong Kong. Targeted homeless programmes should go beyond the conventionally vulnerable groups but consider the multifaceted nature of homeless experiences in relation to food access and integrate health assessments to holistically support the homeless.