A month after the devastating Tai Po fire, over a hundred Wang Fuk Court residents are pleading not just for shelter but for the chance to rebuild their home on its original site.
The petition, signed by at least 117 residents and submitted on Monday to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, and Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, expresses deep helplessness over losing not only their homes but also the cherished community bonds built with family and neighbors over years.
They describe the estate as more than buildings; it is a home filled with memories.
"What we lost is not just a living space, but the roots of our comfort," they stated.
They urge the government to permit reconstruction on the same site, allowing them to return to familiar surroundings and resume life alongside loved ones.
"Rebuilding on the original site is far more than a housing arrangement; it is a solace and the only path to restoring dignity and hope in our lives," the letter reads.
While recognising that the process demands time and resources, they express confidence in the government's ability and duty to make it happen.
Five relocation options
Wong, who heads the task force on emergency accommodation, plans to provide residents with a range of choices and finalize a relocation scheme in the coming weeks based on their feedback.
He has outlined five options—constructing over a thousand subsidized housing units in Tai Po; enabling purchases in subsidized projects across districts starting mid-next year; offering light public housing units; buying private apartments on residents' behalf; and renting units.
On-site rebuilding remains among the options, though Wong cautioned about potential psychological trauma for residents. He stressed that all possibilities stay open.
Cost-effective on-site reconstruction
In response to Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, incoming engineering sector lawmaker Aaron Bok Kwok-ming indicated that on-site reconstruction would likely be more cost-effective and faster to execute.
However, he noted the feasibility of this plan hinges on a structural safety assessment of the damaged buildings, as Wang Fuk Court is not a new development.
If the buildings are severely damaged, Bok suggested that they could be demolished and rebuilt on the original site, potentially reusing existing foundations to save costs.
He highlighted complexities involving property rights and residents' mental health, with each option carrying different costs and timelines.
Building on an alternative site, as proposed by some parties, would require new foundations, utility rerouting and road planning, likely raising expenses—though skipping demolition might save time.
