The secretary for home and youth affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said on Sunday that the HKSAR government will ensure residents affected by the Tai Po fire receive free housing until their homes are rebuilt.
Speaking on a TV program, the Secretary Alice Mak Mei-kuen said that the HKSAR government's goal is to relocate around 1,900 affected households into transitional housing or other accommodation within one to two weeks, and so far, over 1,800 units have been secured. The HKSAR government will adopt flexible arrangements to meet the housing needs of each household, she said.
Michael Wong, deputy financial secretary of the HKSAR government and head of a task force on emergency accommodation arrangements, said that with over 2,000 units available in transitional housing and dedicated rehousing estates of the Housing Society, the supply should be sufficient to meet residents' needs.
Mak also said earlier that the HKSAR government will arrange transitional housing for residents to stay in the long term, stressing that all support provided by the authorities will be free of charge, including the provision of complimentary transportation connections.
The SAR government has so far arranged for over 1,500 affected residents to stay free of charge in transitional housing units, youth hostels, or hotels.
At a transitional housing site in Yuen Long, rooms are well-equipped with facilities such as cooking counters, TVs, dining tables, wardrobes, as well as neatly made beds.
The affected residents have also been provided with abundant food, clothes and other daily necessities at the site.
There are also psychological counselors and volunteers at the site to assist the affected residents in coping with various difficulties.
"When receiving the affected residents, we observe their emotional state and body language to gauge their mood. Throughout the process, we listen to their circumstances and needs. We aim to address some of their immediate concerns, such as their most pressing need for housing, as well as material requirements like clothing and daily necessities. We also explain local resources available to them," said psychological counselor Kong Lok-sum.
"We help them move their belongings, take them to view the house. If they like it, show them where the hot water is, where the electricity switch is and how to use the room. We also deliver meals and soup to them once they're ready. Our counselors and neighbors all work together to assist them, hoping that they'll have a stable home once the reconstruction is complete," said volunteer Wong.
The fire that broke out in the residential complex Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Nov 26 had claimed 146 lives and injured 79 people as of 16:00 on Sunday, with more than 100 still missing, according to the Hong Kong Police Force.
HKSAR gov't pledges free housing for Tai Po fire victims until homes rebuilt
