Rent pressure sparks call for student housing plan

A lawmaker urged the government to plan better for the housing needs of non-local university students, warning that their increasing numbers could drive up rents in certain districts. Scott Leung pointed out that the latest housing strategy report predicts demand for non-local student housing will surge to 23,100 units over the next decade, which is over 45 percent higher than the previous estimate.

He noted that the rising global rankings of Hong Kong universities have made the city an even more attractive study destination. Leung claimed that rents in districts near popular universities, such as Western, Sha Tin, and Tai Po, are already experiencing upward pressure. He emphasized the necessity for the government to have a plan, as universities may struggle to provide enough hostel places for students, causing demand to spill over into the private market.

Leung, also a member of the Housing Authority, suggested universities collaborate with property agents to find accommodation for students, distributing them across various areas to alleviate pressure on popular districts. President of Hang Seng University, Joshua Mok, acknowledged the scarcity of land as a hindrance for universities aiming to construct student hostels.

He mentioned that the university is already employing diverse strategies to tackle the issue, like partnering with developers to transform hotels into student accommodation. Mok expressed the hope that the government would relax its regulations, making developers more motivated to participate in student housing development.