By UNIPA News Desk
Date: 22 February 2026
Residents of Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district have been struggling to find new homes after a devastating high-rise fire destroyed the complex. In response, the Hong Kong government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to assist affected residents, including property buyouts and an apartment exchange program.
“We believe the proposed price is sufficient for the affected residents to relocate and secure long-term housing,” said Wong Wai-lun, Hong Kong’s Deputy Financial Secretary. He emphasized that selling the property to the government is not mandatory.
The total government outlay for the initiative is estimated at HK$6.8 billion. Officials noted that this cost will be reduced by HK$2.8 billion thanks to contributions from a relief fund, and could decrease further once insurance compensation is applied.
A recent Social Welfare Department survey revealed that 74 percent of Wang Fuk Court owners are willing to accept a buyout of their property rights, while nine percent prefer on-site redevelopment. “It is just that in formulating the government’s package, it is impossible to satisfy the wish of everyone,” Wong said.
The government has ruled out redeveloping the original site for residential purposes. Instead, officials are considering community-oriented facilities, such as a park, to replace the destroyed complex.
For tenants, a separate apartment exchange program has been launched. Hong Kong’s Housing Bureau has made 3,900 units available across 10 subsidized housing projects for the 4,600 affected tenants living in nearly 2,000 units at Wang Fuk Court.
An affected resident, surnamed Cheung, told reporters he plans to participate in the flat exchange program, citing the rising property prices in the Tai Po area as a reason why securing a new home with cash alone would be difficult.
Provisional agreements for willing property owners are expected to be signed as early as May or June, with the first government payments scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, Wong said.
The government’s plan reflects a proactive approach to disaster recovery, aiming to provide long-term stability and security to those displaced by one of Hong Kong’s deadliest residential fires in recent years.
