The government has announced that it is considering expanding its buyout plan for Wang Fuk Court to include Wang Chi House – the only building in the residential estate not affected by November’s deadly fire.
The move came after homeowners in the block showed a high level of consensus on one of the government’s rehousing options, with around 77 percent of them having expressed preliminary support for selling.
For the offer to become binding, at least 75 percent of owners must sign a letter of acceptance by June 30, officially confirming their interest.
Speaking on a radio programme on Saturday, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, who also heads the task force on emergency accommodation arrangements for those displaced by the Wang Fuk Court fire, pointed out that the engagement team’s role is to help residents understand the pros and cons of the acquisition scheme, not to act as a “sales team”.
“From the very beginning, I personally briefed the team members,” Wong said.
“I told them that they don’t need to meet any targets. The most important thing is to present the scheme clearly.
“There is no pressure to get every owner you meet to agree to sell. That is very clear.”
Wong emphasised that the scheme is voluntary and based on mutual agreement.
“If 10 or 20 percent say they don’t intend to sell, I respect that and won’t criticise them,” he said.
However, Wong noted that owners who opt out must understand that their flats would, if Wang Chi House doesn’t reach the threshold for compulsory sale, then fall back into the normal market mechanism – complete with unresolved land lease and deed of mutual covenant issues, as well as estimated repair costs of at least HK$30 million.
He also revealed that the team has encountered residents still struggling emotionally with the impact of the fire.
“Some say their psychological trauma is huge,” Wong said.
“Although their block was not directly affected by the fire, it’s right next door. Going back makes them very uncomfortable. They don’t want to live there again.”
According to Wong, formal acceptance proposal letters will be sent to all Wang Chi House owners within the next two weeks.
Owners who wish to sell, he said, simply need to sign and return the letter, after which the government will proceed to the next step.