Authorities propose HK$6.8B resettlement package after deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze
HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government has unveiled a multibillion-dollar resettlement proposal for thousands of residents displaced by last year’s deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court, offering to buy back apartment ownership rights from affected homeowners.
Nearly three months after the blaze tore through seven residential buildings, former occupants remain scattered in temporary housing across various districts. The government has been providing rental grants to assist homeowners with short-term accommodation costs.
At a news conference on Saturday, officials said owners of about 1,700 units may sell their property rights to the government for cash, allowing them to secure new housing of their choice or purchase flats under a designated housing policy. Those who prefer not to receive a large cash payout may opt to directly exchange their units for government-designated apartments.
Authorities estimate the buyback would cost around HK$6.8 billion (US$870 million). Of that amount, approximately HK$4 billion (US$512 million) would come from public funds, with the remainder financed through a relief fund. Officials said the public expenditure could decrease depending on insurance compensation.
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said the administration is inclined to dismantle the damaged buildings and does not plan to redevelop residential housing on the site. The area could instead be converted into a park or community facilities.
“There’s no reasonable or cost-effective way to repair the damaged buildings,” Wong said, adding that without government intervention, homeowners would likely struggle to find buyers in the private market. “In other words, the funds they have invested in these units over the years could turn to nothing.”
The government plans to begin contacting homeowners in March, with compensation payments targeted for the third quarter of the year. Residents choosing the apartment exchange option may start selecting new units in September.
The proposal follows a survey of affected residents. According to Wong, 74% of respondents expressed willingness to consider selling their ownership rights to the government. About 9% said they would only accept redevelopment on the original site, a process authorities estimate could take roughly a decade.
Some residents, however, remain unconvinced. Cyrus Ng, whose elderly parents lived in one of the affected buildings, said his family had hoped to return after repairs but were never allowed to inspect the extent of the damage.
“I didn’t have much expectation about today. I got some new information after tuning in but still haven’t got what we wanted in our heart,” Ng said, questioning the government’s timeline for redevelopment.
The Nov. 26, 2025 blaze killed 168 people and devastated a close-knit community in Tai Po. Authorities attributed the rapid spread of the fire to substandard scaffold netting and foam boards used during maintenance work. While several arrests have been made, an independent committee continues to investigate the cause of the disaster.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
