Fifth project approved under Subsidy Scheme for Using Hotels and Guesthouses as Youth Hostels
The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) today (October 23) approved the fifth project under the Subsidy Scheme for Using Hotels and Guesthouses as Youth Hostels to the Yan Oi Tong Limited.
To help further meet the housing needs of young people and assist with their development, the Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address that the Government will explore ways to increase the supply of youth hostels. To this end, the HYAB launched the Subsidy Scheme in early January 2023 to subsidise non-governmental organisations to rent suitable hotels and guesthouses for use as youth hostels.
The fifth youth hostel project approved under the Subsidy Schemeis located in the Regal Oriental Hotel, with a total of 80 rooms, providing up to 160 hostel places. The project, which is named YOT Hub, will be launched by the Yan Oi Tong Limited and the Regal Hotels Group.One of the features of the project is to help youth tenants enrich their understanding of the national development opportunities through trainings, exchange programmes and internship programmes. It will also provide young people with self-enhancement and support services in different aspects, such as financial management courses, career development workshops and mental health seminars. In addition, the Yan Oi Tong Limited will form a youth service team and invite young people to collaborate in organising community activities. Volunteer services will also be arranged regularly to encourage young people to contribute to the community and establish their sense of belonging to society and responsibility. For details about the project and the means of application, please visit the website of YOT Hub (yot-hub.yot.org.hk).
A spokesperson of the HYAB said, "YOT Hub is well connected by public transport with comprehensive community facilities in the vicinity. This project not only provides young people with a comfortable living environment but also enables them to broaden their horizons and achieve their personal development goals through various self-enhancement activities. We are delighted that the Subsidy Scheme continues to gain support from hotel and guesthouse operators to provide youth with an enabling environment and hope for the future. The HYAB will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders who share our vision to take forward youth hostel projects."
Details about the Subsidy Scheme, including the guidelines to application and the application forms, have been uploaded to the HYAB website (www.hyab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/Social_Harmony_and_Civic_Education/youth_hostel_scheme.htm). Relevant organisations can submit their applications to the HYAB by post, email or other means.
