Hong Kong Housing Authority and Housing Department

"Well-Being · Start-Up 2.0" Programme: Re-opened for Applications

To expand entrepreneurial opportunities for young people, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced in July 2026 that the "Well-Being · Start-Up 2.0" Programme is going to be regularised and entering a new phase, with the following new initiatives:

• Increased Shop Quotas: 3 new shop or pop-up store quotas have been added. Together with the existing 12 shops, the total has increased to 15 quotas, offering more diverse spaces for development.
• Flexible Placement: Selected teams will not only have the opportunity to move into the HA's newly added shops or pop-up stores but can also fill vacancies within the programme as they arise.
• Referrals to Commercial Partners: Suitable applicants will be referred to commercial partners, expanding matching opportunities and broadening entrepreneurial pathways.

Application Method & Selection Mechanism

Young people aged 35 or below are welcome to participate. Please prepare your proposal according to the “Outlines for Business Plan” and email it to startup@housingauthority.gov.hk.

• Application Period: Recruitment opens on 6 July 2026
• Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

Each application will be comprehensively evaluated based on innovativeness, feasibility, market potential, social impact, financial arrangements and team management capabilities. Upon passing the evaluation, the HA will match teams with the most suitable retail spaces, taking into account relevant factors such as the tenant mix of individual estates, residents' needs, and shop specifications. We look forward to selecting outstanding proposals that are forward-looking, practical, and capable of creating shared value for the community.

• Outlines for Business Plan

Programme Background

The HA launched the "Well-Being · Start-Up" Pilot Programme in 2024, providing rent-free shops to help young people realize their entrepreneurial dreams. Given the positive response to the pilot phase, it was upgraded to the "Well-Being · Start-Up 2.0" Programme. This expanded programme introduced a three-year staged rental at discounted market rents to help start-up teams gradually transition to market-rate rentals.

To date, the programme has attracted the support of 17 commercial organizations. Together with the 15 shops provided by the HA, the programme will provide opportunities for over 70 youth start-up teams, a scale seven times larger than the initial phase. The commercial sector will develop tailored programmes based on the uniqueness of the shops to address the diverse needs of youth entrepreneurship.

Useful Links

• Well-Being · Start-Up Guide (Team Profiles & Location Details)
• Participating Commercial Organisations and Locations

Enquiries

For any inquiries, please contact us via email at startup@housingauthority.gov.hk.