The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) today announced that about 1,700 eligible owner-occupiers and elderly owner-occupiers of Wang Fuk Court (WFC) in Tai Po will receive 100% of the Operation Building Bright 2.0 (OBB 2.0) subsidy from the Urban Renewal Authority.

The subsidy amounts are $40,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The HYAB said Hop On Management Company (Hop On), the appointed administrator for WFC, will facilitate the disbursement of subsidies.

The bureau outlined that Hop On has initiated a series of tasks to discharge the functions of the estate’s management committee under the Building Management Ordinance since its appointment on January 6.

The tasks include updating bank account mandates, conducting a handover with the former management company, taking possession of the WFC owners' corporation's (OC) records, and clarifying the legal liabilities and entitlements of the OC and owners. In addition, Hop On is following up on performance bond matters and examining the OC's accounts.

Hop On also established an online platform to ensure effective communication with residents, the HYAB added.

At the same time, a dedicated team from the Home Affairs Department has maintained close liaison with Hop On to provide the necessary support.

Through co-ordination between the Development Bureau and the HYAB, the Urban Renewal Authority has departed from its standard practice of disbursing subsidies to an OC's account and is releasing only 85% of the funds before confirming the discharge of relevant statutory orders.

The HYAB pointed out that under this exceptional arrangement, 100% of the OBB 2.0 subsidy will be issued directly by cheque to the eligible owner-occupiers and elderly owner-occupiers.

It added that this streamlined approach ensures that the funds reach residents more efficiently, with Hop On facilitating the distribution of the cheques.

Under the "one social worker per household" mechanism arranged by the Social Welfare Department, social workers will assist in reaching out to eligible owners. Upon obtaining the owners' consent, the owners’ contact information will be shared with Hop On for follow-up.

Hop On will then contact the owners to explain the distribution logistics and schedule appointments for the time and location for cheque collection.

Hop On will establish multiple collection points across various districts this month. Eligible owners can collect their cheques at their prearranged time slots at designated locations in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Details of the collection schedule and locations will be uploaded to Hop On's website shortly.

For enquiries, call the OBB 2.0 hotline at 3188 1188.