Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said on Sunday that there are enough transitional housing units available to accommodate low-income tenants affected by the upcoming new law regulating subdivided flats.

The Basic Housing Units Ordinance, which takes effect next month, requires subdivided units to meet minimum safety and size standards before they can be let out.

Speaking during a TV interview, Ho said an estimated 30,000 units need upgrading and owners will have four years to comply.

She believes not all of the units would be upgraded at the same time, so there won't be a surge in demand for transitional housing.

"We have a total of around 21,000 units of transitional housing in Hong Kong now and we have around 4,000 units to accommodate category C tenants which are residents of subdivided units with imminent short-term rehousing needs," she said.

Ho noted that transitional housing units are also reserved for residents affected by the deadly Tai Po fire in November.

She added that authorities will develop a long-term rehousing plan for former Wang Fuk Court residents that balances the views of different groups in society and provides more choices for those displaced.