A lawmaker on Wednesday urged the government to better plan for the housing needs of non-local university students, warning that their growing numbers may push up rents in some districts.

Speaking on RTHK, Scott Leung noted that the latest housing strategy report predicts demand for non-local student housing will rise to 23,100 units over the next decade – more than 45 percent higher than the previous estimate.

Leung added that Hong Kong universities' rising global rankings have boosted the city's appeal as a study destination.

He said that rents in districts like Western, Sha Tin and Tai Po – which are close to some popular universities – are already seeing upward pressure.

"I believe the government must have a plan. Because if universities can't provide enough hostel places for students, their demand will inevitably spill over into the private market," he said.

"Right now, in university districts and districts with good transport links, we're already seeing upward pressure on rents."

Leung, who is also a member of the Housing Authority, suggested universities work with property agents to find accommodation for students, spreading them across different areas and easing pressure on the most popular districts.

Speaking on the same programme, President of Hang Seng University, Joshua Mok, noted that a shortage of land is a bottleneck for universities wanting to build student hostels.

He said the university is already using different methods to address the issue, for example, working with developers to convert hotels into student accommodation.

He hopes the government will relax its regulations, giving developers a stronger incentive to get involved in student housing.



Edited by Tony Sabine