A newly approved hostel project for young Hongkongers has started taking applications, with the first batch of tenants expected to move in as early as December. Last week, the government gave the green light for the Regal Oriental Hotel in Kowloon City to be partially converted into a youth hostel named “YOT Hub”. Non-governmental organisation Yan Oi Tong will take ownership of 80 rooms, accommodating up to 160 adults under 30. Hostel tenants will be asked to take part in 200 hours of activities each year, such as training courses and trips to other parts of the Greater Bay Area. Henry Cheng, who chairs the organisation’s board of directors, said on Monday that tenants can choose what activities to join. “The goal to organise these activities is to broaden their horizon and for their personal development,” he said. “National education is just one of them. We are looking to take them to the Greater Bay Area, to different enterprises, to let them know how the country has changed, as China has grown quite substantially for the last 10 years.” Employed individuals who meet the income and asset requirements can make single-person applications to be matched with a roommate, or apply as a pair for the same unit. The total monthly rent of a room ranges from HK$9,000 to HK$9,300. As of 4pm on Monday, the project had received about 110 applications, according to the charitable organisation. The youth hostel will initially run for three years, with tenants signing a two-year contract.
