HK student housing boosted with 9 privately invested projects

The projects offer 2,848 beds for students. 

Hong Kong has nine privately invested student accommodation projects, offering 2,848 beds for students in H1 2024, according to Collier's report. 

This is attributed to the demand for more private student accommodation due to the shortage of publicly funded student hostels. 

Due to the sharp increase in the number of non-local students, some investors have purchased entire properties, including residential buildings and hotels, to convert them into student accommodation, Colliers said.

In the academic year 2023-2024, there are a total of 73,600 non-local students enrolled in Hong Kong’s 30 post-secondary education institutions, but only around 38,000 beds are available in government-funded student hostels.

The introduction of the Youth Hostel Scheme by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau prompted the creation of seven subsidised youth hostel projects since 2011, offering up to 3,218 beds for the students. 

Amongst private companies, atudent accommodation operator Y.X has four ongoing projects: Y83 and Y36 in Hung Hom with 600 and 82 beds, respectively; YHill in Western District with 270 beds; and Y18 in Jordan with 80 beds. 

Operator Dwell has two projects, the Dwell Prince Edward located in Mong Kok and Dwell Ho Man Tin in Hung Hom, with 66 and 89 beds, respectively. 

Wang On has Sunny House located in San Po Kong with 1,434 beds, while operator Airflat Management has a Youth Dorm project in Tsim Sha Tsui with 104 beds. 

Meanwhile, a local operator has Uni Hall located in Sham Shui Po with 123 beds. 

Monthly rents of private student accommodation for academic year 2024-2025 start from $5,600 to $15,000 for a shared room, while a single or studio room starts at $6,000 to $31,000.

Meanwhile, rents in UGC student hostels range from $1,300 to $6,900 for a shared room and $2,600 to $8,000 for a single room or studio.