Housing Authority launches rent-free shop program to support young entrepreneurs

To encourage young people to pursue entrepreneurial dreams, the Housing Authority (HA) offered shops for them to trial their business plans rent-free.

About ten shops in seven HA shopping centers -- including Domain, Hoi Lai Shopping Centre and Kwai Chung Shopping Centre -- have been selected to support the program named "Well Being·Start-Up". 

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin and Director of Housing Law Shuk-pui visited the HA's flagship commercial mall Domain to promote the program, and encouraged young people to submit their business plans.

The program targets individuals aged 35 or below and will run for a duration of seven months, from October 2024 to April 2025. Participants will not need to pay rent and would receive assistance with basic shop renovation and marketing. 

The HA will collect 20 percent of the net profits from the participants to fund the program to support its ongoing development.

Interested applicants must submit their business plans to the HA before August 31.