As winter looms, the HK$50,000 living allowances to households affected by the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire will be increased to HK$100,000, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen announced Thursday.
She noted that 300 households have already received a living allowance of HK$50,000, and the remaining HK$50,000 will be distributed subsequently.
To facilitate the affected residents who are currently staying at “Runway 1331,” shuttle buses will be arranged to transport residents to and from Tai Po, with social workers providing assistance.
The Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has raised HK$2.5 billion, amounting to a total of HK$2.8 million, including the start-up capital of HK$300 million from the government, according to Mak.
The Fund has distributed HK$10,000 in emergency funds to 1,929 households and processed 674 applications for the HK$50,000 living allowances.
Families of those who tragically passed away will receive HK$200,000 in condolence money and HK$50,000 in aid for funeral expenses.
Injured individuals hospitalized for less than seven days will receive HK$50,000 in injury compensation, while those hospitalized for more than seven days will receive HK$100,000.
Full-time students living in Wang Fuk Court, as well as security guards, workers and foreign domestic helpers working there, will all receive an HK$20,000 subsidy.
She stressed that the Fund has never set up donation QR codes, urging the public to be cautious against fraudulent QR codes that claim to be accepting donations for relief funding.
In addition, residents of the Wang Fuk Court will be exempt from paying their 24/25 tax year tax bills, water and sewage fees, and electricity bills.
Mak reassured that the government will provide long-term support to affected residents to ensure their housing problems are resolved free of charge.
