The Government today announced the long-term housing arrangements for Wang Fuk Court, offering affected flat owners options including cash acquisition of their titles or a “flat-for-flat” arrangement.

Alternatively, the Government will reserve flats under the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) and the Housing Society’s projects for priority purchase by owners who have sold their titles. New HOS flats will also be constructed at Chung Nga Road West in Tai Po as part of the plan.

Owners are required to confirm their intention by August 31.

At a press conference today, Head of the Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements and Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said the plan was formulated to address the wishes of affected families while balancing empathy, reason and the law, giving priority to empathy.

The plan also embraces the principles of offering diverse choices, providing long-term housing options in Tai Po, and ensuring the efficient use of public resources, he added.

Acquisition of titles

Mr Wong highlighted that the Government will make acquisition offers to all owners of flats in Blocks A to G of Wang Fuk Court, which were affected by the blaze last November. The acquisition price, calculated based on saleable area, is $8,000 per sq ft for flats with premium unpaid, and $10,500 per sq ft for flats with premium paid.

According to an assessment made by the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit, a complete demolition of the seven blocks is considered necessary. While the buildings do not face an immediate risk of structural collapse, the intense fire caused extensive and complex damage, making reasonable and cost-effective repairs unfeasible.

The Government note that given the exceptional nature of this case, which involves 1,736 flats, there is currently no effective market mechanism to address the situation.

It added that through government intervention and the provision of acquisition offers, the long-term housing arrangements for the affected families can be resolved as expeditiously as possible.

Mr Wong said: “The Government’s current acquisition price mainly takes into account that the residents have lost their homes and suffered significant losses. Their difficult circumstances warrant the understanding and support from society.”

“Meanwhile, the scale and impact of the Wang Fuk Court fire are unprecedented in Hong Kong, therefore the arrangement made for this special case of exceptional nature will not serve as a precedent,” he added.

“We also believe that the acquisition price will enable the affected families to relocate and secure long-term housing.”

Special Sales Exercise

Upon selling their titles to the Government, owners may use the money to make their own long-term housing arrangements, or participate in the Special Sales Exercise dedicated to purchasing new subsidised sale flats.

Speaking at today’s press conference, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said the Housing Authority and the Housing Society will reserve 2,400 units across eight existing projects. Additionally, a new HOS project at Chung Nga Road West in Tai Po will provide 1,500 units, bringing the total number of flats available for purchase by owners who have sold their titles to the Government to 3,900.

Flat selection under the Special Sales Exercise will commence in September.

Flat-for-flat arrangement

The long-term housing plan also includes a "flat-for-flat" arrangement, where the Government will issue a Flat-for-Flat Voucher in lieu of cash to owners selling their titles.

This voucher holds the same value as the acquisition amount and will serve as credit for purchasing subsidised sale flats reserved by the Housing Authority or the Housing Society under the Special Sales Exercise. Any price difference will be settled on a “pay more or get refunded” basis.

Wang Chi House

The Government noted that while necessary repairs and management arrangements must be carried out at Wang Chi House (Block H), the building was not affected by the fire. Some owners have expressed a desire to resume long-term residence in their original units.

Mr Wong stated that as Wang Chi House remains habitable and the Government must respect private property rights, further intervention would be difficult. He added that the Government’s plan could only be extended to cover the block if the owners reach a high degree of consensus.

Dedicated engagement team

Ms Ho announced the establishment of a cross-departmental engagement team to support each affected owner throughout the acquisition process.

Co-ordinated by the Housing Bureau, the team comprises more than 100 personnel from the Housing Bureau, the Labour & Welfare Bureau, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, the Security Bureau and the Development Bureau. The team will help owners understand the various housing options, address enquiries and provide guidance based on individual circumstances.

Utilising the “one social worker per household” service for referrals, the engagement team will begin contacting owners directly from early March.