However, these services are often stigmatized and underutilized, particularly by the working poor who may view them as a last resort. The visible rough sleepers often associated with Western cities are less common in many Chinese urban centers, yet this absence tells only part of the story.
How China's Hukou System Leaves Migrant Workers Excluded from Welfare Support
The Role of the Hukou System The household registration (hukou) system is the bedrock of understanding homelessness in China. The Data Gap and Hidden Realities One of the most significant obstacles in understanding homelessness in China is the lack of transparent, comprehensive data.
A significant and growing concern is the phenomenon of "ant tribe" (yiqun), referring to low-income graduates living in cramped, shared rented rooms in urban peripheries. A person without a local hukou may find themselves without recourse if they lose their job or face eviction, rendering them effectively homeless in the eyes of service provision, even if they have a temporary place to stay.
How the Hukou System Excludes Migrant Workers from Welfare Support
For migrant workers who move to cities for work, this system creates a precarious legal status. Programs exist to provide temporary shelter, food, and transport assistance to those in need.
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