The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) approved the first project under the Subsidy Scheme for Using Hotels and Guesthouses as Youth Hostels from the Hong Kong United Youth Association (HKUYA) on March 14—encompassing an entire hotel on Morrison Hill Road, Causeway Bay with a total of 97 rooms to provide up to 194 hostel places.
Launched by HKUYA in collaboration with Gale Well Group, HKUYA will operate the youth hostel named BeLIVING Youth Hub, offering six types of rooms ranging from approximately 176 square feet to 324 square feet. The hotel underwent interior fit-out works in public areas to provide activity rooms; mailboxes; canteen; laundry room; and recreational facilities for residents. Additionally, bicycle power generation is included.
The project will serve as a platform for young people to participate in social outreach activities, while providing them with value-added services for career planning, entrepreneurship and more, through HKUYA’s membership network.
Previously, the Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address that the Government will explore ways to increase the supply of youth hostels, including subsidising non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to rent suitable hotels and guesthouses for use as youth hostels, with the target of providing about 3,000 additional places within five years. To this end, HYAB launched the Subsidy Scheme in early January 2023.
To learn more about the Scheme, visit HYAB’s website: www.hyab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/Social_Harmony_and_Civic_Education/youth_hostel_scheme.htm. —Construction+ Online
Sources: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Website of BeLIVING Youth Hub; Facebook page of BeLIVING Youth Hub
