How young Hongkongers can chart their future after moving out of youth hostels
City’s hostel scheme offers affordable housing for young people, but lawmakers say challenge lies after they finish their stay
Kobe Chung Hao-yin and girlfriend Mandy Chung Man-kei have taken a step closer to being able to get married after moving into a youth hostel following months of searching for affordable housing in Hong Kong.
Kobe Chung, a 24-year-old working in the engineering sector, and Mandy Chung, also 24, earn a combined salary of about HK$30,000 (US$3,820) a month. They moved into the Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis in Yuen Long in November last year to help cut costs and build their savings.
Like other hostel residents, the couple can only stay a maximum of five years, but the pair have yet to set a savings goal for marriage or plan for what they would do when they have to leave the facility.
“We haven’t thought of that yet; it’s much too far ahead,” Mandy said.
Cases such as theirs have sparked calls from lawmakers for more support to ensure young people can climb the social ladder when they leave the hostels.
“The most important thing about this scheme is that besides moving out on their own, they will be able to save money and use these savings to achieve their end goals, whether it is to buy a flat, start your own business or study for a master’s degree,” legislator Benson Luk Hon-man said.