The Housing Authority has launched the Well Being·Start-Up programme which offers shop premises in its shopping centres rent-free to encourage and support young people aged 35 or below in pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.

The programme will run for seven months, from October 2024 to April 2025 and will offer about 10 shop premises in the authority's shopping centres for young people to start their business.

Participants will not need to pay rent and will receive assistance with basic shop renovation and marketing.

The authority will regularly review the participants’ business performance. If participants make a profit, it will charge 20% of their net profits to fund and support the programme's ongoing development.

Secretary for Housing and authority Chairman Winnie Ho, together with Permanent Secretary for Housing and Director of Housing Rosanna Law, attended the “Dialogue with Star Entrepreneurs” event held today at Domain in Yau Tong, where successful entrepreneurs shared their invaluable experiences with young people to help them prepare their start-ups.

Ms Ho highlighted that the authority attaches great importance to youth development.

“By offering rent-free, well-managed shops with stable foot traffic, the Well Being·Start-Up programme genuinely helps young people kick-start their entrepreneurial dreams.

“The authority also hopes to leverage the vitality and innovative ideas of young people to provide a more diverse choice of products and shopping experiences for the community, bring foot traffic to shopping centres and achieve mutual benefits for both residents and commercial tenants.”

The programme will be open for applications from August 1 and interested parties should submit business proposals before August 31.

The authority will assess the proposals based on innovation, feasibility and market potential, social benefits, financial arrangements and team management, and allocate suitable shop premises to selected applicants.

The application form and details will be available on the authority's website on August 1.