Public housing blocks used for quarantine to be returned to prospective tenants

Three newly built public housing blocks previously used as community isolation facilities will, at the earliest in May, be returned to prospective tenants who have their move-in date delayed due to the measure, according to the government.

Authorities earlier converted Blocks 1 and 7 of Queen's Hill Estate in Fanling as well as Heng King House of Lai King Estate into community isolation facilities, providing more than 3,000 units for Covid patients.  

Speaking at a daily press briefing on Wednesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said prospective tenants allocated initially to those units will be able to move into their new homes starting in late May.  

She said authorities would disinfect the units and remove household items previously installed in them before handing them over.  

Meanwhile, two transitional housing sites - United Court at Tung Tau in Yuen Long and the first phase of Pok Oi Kong Ha Wai Village in Kam Tin - used as community isolation facilities in February will also be returned to their operators next week, with prospective tenants expected to move in starting May.  

All household items installed at these transitional housing sites for isolation purposes will be given away to the operators, according to Lam.  

Speaking at the same press briefing, Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said an ex gratia allowance of HK$8,000 per household has been granted to those prospective tenants of relevant public housing blocks.  

Authorities will also distribute an allowance to some 600 prospective households at the transitional housing sites, said Chan.