Work Starts On Hong Kong's Largest Youth Hostel

Hong Kong on Tuesday started construction of what is billed as the city's largest youth hostel aimed at providing living space at affordable rents to more than 1,500 young people.

The 27-storey government-funded facility in Ma Tin Pok, Yuen Long will be run by the charity group, Po Leung Kuk.

The 6,100-square-metre site was donated to the group in 2015 by property giant Henderson Land, and Legco approved HK$1.4 billion in funding last year to build the hostel.

When it is completed in the third quarter of 2021, it is expected to provide 1,248 single and double rooms for more than 1,600 young people.

The size of a single room will be about 160 square feet, and 215 square feet for a double room.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony, said the youth hostel scheme is aimed at turning land resources in the community into affordable living spaces for young people, to help them pursue their dreams.

She said there are five other similar projects in the pipeline.

Bridget Yu, Po Leung Kuk's principal social services secretary, said that based on current market rates, the monthly rent for a single room will be about HK$2,000, while a double room will cost between HK$3,000 and HK$4,000.

The initial leases will last for at least two years, and a tenant can stay in the hostel for up to five years.

Yu said she believes the hostel will be popular.

“We will rent out the flats at 50 percent lower than the market rent, so we think that it will be very popular among young people … We will also offer supportive services, including career guidance, and also financial literacy guidance, as well as entrepreneurship support services,” she explained.

“We hope that through the years they stay here, they can build up their personal capacity as well as enhance their networks of contacts,” she added.

Applicants will have to be between 18 and 30, employed, and a permanent Hong Kong resident.