Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong says the government is confident it can build subsidised homes in the same district for residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po.

Speaking on Commercial Radio on Saturday, he said the government would collect residents’ views through social workers in the coming weeks on potential rehousing arrangements.

Wong pointed out that residents would also need time to come to a decision on the matter.

It was still too early, he added, for the government to select a site for rehousing as authorities would have to carry out all the necessary assessments.

But he said the government would finish the assessments quickly and find a suitable location.

“Originally, there was to be no supply of new Home Ownership Scheme flats in Tai Po in the coming years,” Wong said.

“But now we are confident of finding a site in Tai Po to provide subsidised flats for the affected residents within a few years, as many of them still want to live in the same district.”

Speaking on the same programme, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said contributions to the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court had now reached HK$3.6 billion and that disbursements were proceeding well.