Crisis Residential Centre

Background
The Crisis Residential Centres target youth in need aged between 8 and 21 and operate in family style to provide counselling, personal growth and living skill training. They offer temporary accommodation for youth lasting from 1 day to a maximum of 2 months with social workers providing 3 to 6 months' follow up support.

Development
Land Development Corporation allocated a flat in Nathan Road, Mongkok to Youth Outreach (YO) in July 1991 for establishing a Boys' Crisis Residential Centre, starting with 12 beds and a team of 6 staff. YO admitted its first case to the Boys' Centre.

In June 1992, the Government Property Agency allocated 2 flats in Chai Wan to YO for use as Boys' and Girls' Crisis Residential Centres, housing a total of 30 beds. Both centres served an average 130 youth monthly in 1993.

In March 1997, the Government Property Agency provided 4 staff quarters at Prince of Wales Hospital, each 2,000 square feet, for YO's headquarters, outreaching teams and transitional housing for working youth.

In October 2000, the Social Welfare Department invited YO to set up overnight drop-in centre (later developed into "Hang Out") for providing temporary accommodation for at-risk youth served by our all-night outreaching team.