living. The Hostel, as a temporary substitute for a natural home, in a simple routine of living, provides warmth, understanding and appropriate guidance.
VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS
52. Offenders described as 'socially handicapped' are as much in need of welfare services as others who are handicapped in another way. In this connection officers of the Probation Service liaise with the staff of voluntary welfare organizations engaged in a similar kind of work. A close liaison is maintained with the Hong Kong Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society and the Probation Service is grateful for facilities made available by various voluntary welfare institutions, particularly the Hong Kong Juvenile Care Centre, the Salvation Army's Norway Hostel, Rennies Mill Student Aid Project and the Society of Boys' Centres.
CHAPTER VI
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DIVISION
53. The public assistance scheme is designed to provide help for individuals and families who cannot manage on their existing re- sources. Normally public assistance is needed for a limited time only, until the recipient becomes independent again. But in some cases e.g. the elderly, it is paid on a longer term basis.
54. Public assistance is available to any person who applies and qualifies for aid, the criteria of eligibility being bases on an assessment of the applicant's (and his family's) resources.
Improvements on the public assistance scheme
55. In April 1970, the help provided under the public assistance. scheme was mainly given in the form of dry rations to people who had lived in Hong Kong for five years and whose income was below $33 per adult per month after allowing for rent and school expenses. Children under 9 were counted as half an adult. On this basis, the scheme was benefiting some 7,300 families and individuals at an annual cost of about $5 million.
56. It was recognized, however, that the scheme, on that basis, was inadequate. In particular, the levels of assistance were too low and
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