For most young adults, moving out of home is a rite of passage but in Hong Kong - notorious for its chronic lack of housing - it's usually an unaffordable dream.
Silver Ho, a 26-year-old hair stylist assistant who was tired of arguing with his parents, counts himself as one of the lucky ones. Two months ago, he landed a spot at a new so-called "youth hostel", which offers rooms for young adults that are subsidised by the Hong Kong government and can be rented for up to five years.
The hostel programme, ramped up last year under pressure from Chinese President Xi Jinping, is aimed at tackling youth frustration with housing - a factor Beijing believes contributed to the anti-government pro-democracy protests that rocked the city in 2019. For Ho, gaining a room at the BeLIVING hostel has meant independence and saving on commuting time. It's the first to have been converted from a hotel under a new scheme and unlike the city's three other hostels, is conveniently located in the bustling commercial area of Causeway Bay.
Hong Kong's hostel programme first started in 2011 but only gained momentum after Xi visited the city last July and said the government must do more to tackle youth housing and job problems while creating more opportunities for self-development. A survey by the Concerning Youth Housing Rights Alliance published in May suggests the hostels will have limited appeal with close to 90% of respondents saying they don't plan to apply. Most are instead prioritising saving up to purchase their own flat one day.New BeLIVING resident Chelsea Tung sees her move as both a chance to live with her boyfriend while putting aside money for a flat of their own.The programme faces several hurdles.
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