Is co-living an alternative housing option for young adults in Hong Kong?

Abstract

A number of the Young Adults in Hong Kong are having the housing problem. They would like to live apart from their parents, but they were unable to enter the private housing market. Also, they might not fulfill the requirements of applying the Hong Kong’s subsidized housing schemes. In order to discuss any affordable housing options could be provided to them, “Co-Living” may be one of the options. Co-Living — housing option that providing a private and individual living space for each Co-livers and communal areas for all Co-Livers. This idea has been developed in the foreign countries for decades. However, Co-Living is recently emerging in Hong Kong and become an alternative housing option for Hong Kong people. For the sake of exploring what the potential socioeconomic and demographic predictors are affecting the understanding of and interest in Co-Living among the Hong Kong young adults, the “Diffusion of innovation theory” has been implemented in this research. An online survey of 102 individuals has been conducted and regression analyses revealed that people who were more frequent to have “Sharing Economy” may have greater interest in Co-Living arrangement. All the results will be discussed in terms of the effects for pre-understanding the idea of Co-Living for the early adopters. Also, it would discuss the potential and difficulties for the diffusion of Co-Living in Hong Kong.