Govt reaches out to Wang Fuk Court owners over long-term housing

發佈日期: 2026-01-09 20:48

TVB News

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The government has sent questionnaires to owners of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po asking for their opinion on long-term housing.

A number of suggestions have been raised, including the redevelopment on the original site, or the acquisition of the property by the government.

The deadly blaze in Wang Fuk Court has left thousands of people without a permanent home since late November. 

As of today, more than 4,400 displaced residents are staying in hotels, youth hostels, transitional housing, Housing Society units or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun. But these are not long-term solutions. 

Questionnaires were distributed to the owners of Wang Fuk Court through the "one social worker per household" service.

The seven-page questionnaire contains five questions, seeking their opinions on a number of options. Three sites in Tai Po are identified as potential locations for redevelopment.

The plot at Chung Nga Road is the fastest choice because the land has already been levelled. Around 900 units will be available in 2029.

Another option is the site at Kwong Fuk Park, which has to go through town planning procedures for rezoning for housing development, completion is expected in 2030 at the earliest.

If residents wish to rebuild Wang Fuk Court on its original site, they will have to wait for the acquisition of all property rights, followed by demolition and reconstruction work.

The entire process is expected to take at least nine or ten years. This will be the most time-consuming rehousing option.

As redevelopment may take time, the government has offered an option of acquiring property rights, enabling owners to receive cash and explore their own rehousing choices.

Estimated by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, the average price per square foot for a flat in Wang Fuk Court with land premium unpaid is around 6,000 dollars, and 8,000 dollars for a flat with premium paid.

Property owners can purchase a government-subsidised home in Kam Tin, Tung Chung, Ping Shan, Kai Tak and Tseung Kwan O, with the price per square foot ranging from 6,240 to 9,300 dollars. 

Residents can move in as soon as August 2027.

Alternatively, they can consider Shing Chi Court in Kowloon Bay, priced at 7,020 dollars per square foot.

Owners who do not want to handle large sums of money can opt for a "flat-for-flat" exchange, under which they will receive a new subsidised unit of similar value. 

The government aims to collect the owners' feedback by mid-to-late January, and will pass it to the "Emergency Housing Arrangement Working Group" for assessment.