The Hong Kong government will begin distributing new relief payments next week to residents affected by the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, with flat owners set to receive an annual rental subsidy of HK$150,000 and a one-off relocation allowance of HK$50,000, while tenants will be offered a one-time relocation grant of HK$50,000.
The latest measures were announced on Thursday as the government briefed the media on the operation of the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which was established following the fire. Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen, and Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han attended the briefing.
Cheuk said payments to flat owners will begin next week. Under the arrangement, owners will receive a rental subsidy of HK$150,000 per year for two years, distributed in installments every six months, alongside a one-off relocation allowance of HK$50,000.
Mak said each installment of the rental subsidy will amount to HK$75,000. Owners who move into temporary accommodation, such as hotels or youth hostels, will also be eligible for the HK$50,000 relocation allowance.
The first batch of relocation payments will be issued starting December 20 through the "one social worker per household" support mechanism, and owners will not be required to resubmit proof of ownership.
She added that residents who have moved into transitional housing or Housing Society rental units will have their rent waived until May 31, 2026. Those who move out after that date will no longer be eligible for relocation allowance and will be required to pay rent.
Mak said future assistance from the relief fund will primarily focus on supporting flat owners, noting that tenants had already received emergency assistance earlier.
She said the HK$50,000 relocation grant represents the final cash subsidy specifically for tenants under the relief package. However, she emphasized that tenants will continue to have access to social welfare and medical support where needed.
Tenants may stay in transitional housing until May 30 next year, she added, noting that as Wang Fuk Court was not their permanent residence, they are expected to have flexibility in securing alternative accommodation.
According to a government statement issued on Wednesday night, the support fund has received about HK$3.5 billion in public donations as of noon on Wednesday. Together with the government’s initial HK$300 million injection, the fund now totals about HK$3.8 billion and will be used to provide long-term and ongoing support to help affected residents rebuild their lives.
