A high proportion of Wang Fuk Court flat owners are inclined to accept government acquisition of their property rights as part of the long-term rehousing plan, according to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.
Lee’s comments follow the task force on emergency accommodation, which has largely completed collecting responses from affected residents through the dedicated “one social worker per household” service.
Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council this morning, Lee stated that the government has been developing rehousing plans from multiple directions to allow residents to choose based on their preferences.
Following initial observations, Lee noted that a considerable proportion of owners have expressed willingness to consider the government’s acquisition of their ownership rights, adding that some owners' final decisions would depend on the acquisition price.
Regarding the timeline for announcing the plan before the Chinese New Year, Lee said that “the sooner, the better for the affected families.”
He assured the public that the government is working round the clock to finalize the plan, enabling residents to rebuild their homes with the most suitable choices.
While public funds will be utilized during the rehousing process, Lee reaffirmed that the government will evaluate and make appropriate arrangements to ensure the effective and reasonable use of public resources.
Lee identified three significant challenges for the task force to overcome, which include harmonizing the diverse needs of different families, uncertainties regarding public liability insurance claims and related legal issues for Wang Fuk Court and potential delays due to ownership responsibilities and legal disputes.
Acknowledging the unique circumstances of each household and diverse public opinions, Lee confirmed that the government would handle the situation delicately, balancing all perspectives while addressing practical concerns related to public resources, financial commitments, housing allocation, and legal responsibilities.
