More than two weeks after a devastating fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and civil society have worked to ensure that the relocated have what they need to rebuild and resume their normal lives.
Transitional housing projects across Hong Kong are part of this crucial support.
Extra vehicles and extra staff have been deployed across all transitional housing units in Hong Kong to help the fire victims move around easily.
At "The Step Transitional Housing Project", many affected residents are settling in and getting used to new routines.
One of the things making that easier is transport. The transitional housing project has six bus routes, including a brand-new route to Tai Po.
"We run about 13 bus trips a day between here and Tai Po, and we will adjust the schedule as demand changes. Around 50 households have already moved in, and more residents are expected to arrive," said Allan Siu, a social worker.
The new bus route has quickly become essential, especially for residents commuting to work, schools, or doctors' appointments.
"About half of the residents here are aged 65 or above. We have volunteers accompanying them to hospital visits, and care teams are delivering meals every day. We'll soon have traditional Chinese medicine doctors on site as well, to support both physical and emotional needs," Siu said.
The government has also arranged 12 apartment viewing tours this week so that residents can pick where they want to live next.
"In order to let these people now staying in hotels or other places, to make the decision, I think this is a very good arrangement. But we need to promote a bit. What is the availability? What are the locations? What are the surrounding environment like, and support that can be provided to them," said Winnie Ho, Secretary for Housing of the HKSAR government.
"If Tai Po residents like what they have seen here, they can get a key and move in immediately," Siu told Ho.
Meanwhile, support continues to pour in from the public.
The Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po totaled 3.7 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 475 million U.S. dollars) as of Saturday.
And more than 4,000 residents are now registered in the One Social Worker per Household program, receiving long-term, personalized assistance.
Transitional housing projects support Tai Po fire survivors
