The Government expects to announce in the next quarter, the number of youth hostel units secured through subsidising non-governmental organisations to rent suitable hotels and guesthouses for use as youth hostels.

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak made the comments after attending a radio programme today, noting that developing youth hostels is aimed at addressing the housing needs of young people.

Miss Mak explained that the youth hostel development comprises three phases, with the first being NGOs developing their own youth hostels on available land.

The second phase involves subsidising NGOs to rent suitable hotels and guesthouses for use as youth hostels, with the target of providing about 3,000 additional hostel places within five years. 

“We have already secured funding from the Legislative Council this month. Hopefully we could announce the result and the number of hostel units that we have secured in the first quarter of 2023.

“For the third phase of the youth hostel (programme), the Development Bureau will identify suitable sites to put in the terms of the land grant and request the developer to provide certain units for youth hostels.”