The deadline for homeowners at the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court to accept the government’s acquisition offer will not be pushed back any further, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said on Sunday.

Speaking on a radio programme, Wong noted that as of Friday, nearly 95 percent of owners — equivalent to 1,878 households — had submitted their letter of acceptance, while 74 percent had signed sales and purchase agreements with the government.

Owners have until the end of the month to submit their acceptance letters.

Wong said the deadline is strict, warning that any delays would affect the government's broader resettlement plan.

“On August 20, the Housing Bureau announced the sales brochure and price lists for the ten housing projects under the special sales exercise. We hope flat selection could begin by the end of next month and proceed step by step," he said.

"Therefore, if the time line is pushed back at any point it will have an impact on other work."

Wong also dismissed claims the government plans to build high-rise developments to make a profit after acquiring Wang Fuk Court, calling the speculation a “vicious” attempt to sabotage the scheme.

On the same programme, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said a ballot would be held to determine the flat selection order for Wang Fuk residents looking for new homes.

“In early September, residents will gradually receive a letter from us. We will allocate a number to each of them, and then around mid-September, we will conduct a computerised random draw,” she said.

“About a week after the draw, we will send out messages to arrange flat selection. We expect flat selection to begin at the end of September.”

Taking into consideration that many Wang Fuk Court homeowners are elderly and may be unfamiliar with property transactions, Ho said authorities would allow ample time to select their flats.

She noted that while the bureau typically processes around 140 to 150 subsidised flat sales a day, it aims to cap the daily volume at 50 to 60 for Wang Fuk Court.

Ho added that 330 homeowners, who chose cash compensation instead of the flat-for-flat arrangement, have completed the required procedures and received their payouts.


Edited by Tony Sabine