Hong Kong extends buy-back offer to final block after deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze

Hong Kong authorities have officially extended the buy-back offer to the only block spared in the deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze after more than three-quarters of households indicated their intention to sell their flats to the government.

Owners of 78 per cent of the flats at the other seven blocks at the Tai Po estate have already signed letters of acceptance to sell their homes under the resettlement scheme in what was described as “good progress” by the government.

Authorities said on Friday that they had decided to include homeowners at Wang Chi House in the plan after they reached a “strong consensus”.

Owners of 193 flats, representing 77.8 per cent of the homes in the tower, have confirmed they will sell their titles, according to the government.

“The feedback from Wang Chi House owners has been encouraging and positive, reflecting that the long-term housing arrangement plan offered by the government is attractive and can effectively assist owners in resolving the various uncertainties and complexities that they are facing,” a government spokesman said, pointing to the potential sharp increase in management fees and depreciation of property values, among other concerns.

“The plan offered by the government allows owners to rebuild their long-term homes and start their new lives.