3 in 10 Hongkongers plan to ‘lie flat' to qualify for public housing

Still, nearly 60% said they would not do so.

About 30.5% of Hong Kongers said they would adopt a "lying flat" approach to meet the qualifications for applying for public housing.

The Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Kowloon Youth Committee, and the New Territories Youth Association, collectively known as the "Four Associations," conducted the survey amongst young people aged 18 to 40 in Hong Kong,

However, nearly 60% of respondents stated they would not do so to meet public housing application criteria. Over 80% of respondents attributed the phenomenon to unaffordable private housing prices of young people, whilst 61% cited insufficient opportunities to purchase subsidised sale housing.

Meanwhile, respondents rated the importance of property ownership with a median score of 8. When considering purchasing options, over 60% indicated a preference for both private residential properties and subsidised sale housing. 

About 33% of those who can afford housing indicated they could manage budgets under $2m, whilst 20% were comfortable with budgets ranging from $2m to $2.99m. 

The Housing Authority's 2024 subsidised sale housing plan lists units priced between $1.43m and $4.67m, which aligns more closely with the financial capabilities of young people.

Moreover, respondents expressed a strong desire for independent living, rating its importance with a median score of 10. 

Nearly 90% stated they want their own living space, primarily for the sake of having "private space," whislt close to 50% indicated they wish to prepare for future marriage.