Hangzhou sets up temporary rest centers for homeless in summer

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Most people want to stay at home with their air conditioners turned up to max to escape the scorching weather in summer.

But, what do you do if you're homeless?

The local government in Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, has come up with the idea of opening 48 temporary rest areas for homeless people to escape the long-lasting heatwave.

A resting place for the homeless in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. /Photo via Xinhua News Agency

Equipped with air conditioners, the areas offer free food, water and beds for the homeless, in order to meet their basic living requirements.

They also have wash rooms and showers.

The temporary spots are not just pleasant for living, but also supply medicine to treat illnesses such as heatstroke.

A 70-year-old man surnamed Li, who has been homeless for over 20 years, told the Qianjiang Evening Newspaper that the place is comfortable to stay in when the temperatures are extremely high.

Photo via Xinhua News Agency

However, the resting areas are not especially well-known among the local homeless community.

An official from the Hangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau said: “We hope citizens help us to guide the homeless to the nearest resting spot or directly contact with its staff. We hope everyone can live safely through the hot summer.”

Hangzhou also offers rest centers to homeless people during winter.

A resting place in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. /Dahe Newspaper

The city is not the first in China to set up spots for people to avoid the prolonged heatwave.

Zhengzhou in Henan Province, Wuhan in Hubei Province and Hefei in Anhui province are also offering similar shelters this year.

Currently, vast areas of China are suffering from stifling temperatures.

Most of the southern part of the country is regularly suffering through temperatures above 35 degree Celsius, according to China’s National Meteorological Center.

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