Say 'No' to public rental housing: Over 60% of HK youth aspire to private homes

A recent online survey showed that 59.1% of Hong Kong youth would not "lie flat" just to meet the eligibility criteria for public rental housing. In fact, nearly 90% of respondents expressed a desire for private living space.

The Federation of Public Housing Estates, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Youth Association, Kowloon Youths Joint Conference, and Federation of New Territories Youth, conducted an online survey from Sept. 5 to 27. A total of 367 respondents aged 18 to 40 were successfully interviewed to understand their housing needs and expectations.

The median score for respondents' desire to own property was 8 out of 10, with over 60% indicating a perfect score of 10 for their willingness to live alone, reflecting the importance of homeownership in the eyes of HK young people.

More than 60% of respondents said they would prioritize buying private housing or Home Ownership Scheme flats. However, they said private housing prices are beyond their financial reach, and opportunities to purchase subsidized housing remain scarce.

Regarding the "lying flat" phenomenon, 84.2% of respondents attributed it to the unaffordability of private housing, while 61% believed it was due to the lack of opportunities to purchase subsidized housing. Additionally, over 40% of respondents felt that those who "lie flat" lack competitiveness to achieve upward mobility or view public rental housing as a way to lower future financial burdens.

Chiu Kwok-wai, Executive Director of the Federation of Public Housing Estates, believes that young people are "passively lying flat," primarily due to the high property prices that make homeownership difficult. He suggested that the Government should implement a savings scheme for home ownership and offer interest-free loans for first-time buyers to help some young people purchase a flat. 

Related News:

HK property prices fall while rents still climb: Rating and Valuation Department

Housing Authority launches rent-free shops for young entrepreneurs