Wang Fuk Court government buyback process

Following a fatal fire that killed 168 people, the Hong Kong government has moved to secure ownership of Wang Fuk Court (also known as Hoi Fook Estate) through a buyback scheme.

By late August, 96.5 percent of homeowners had agreed to the scheme, with 1,914 out of 1,984 owners returning acceptance letters. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho indicated that a computerized lottery would determine the order for unit selection, offering residents the choice between cash or government-subsidized flats.

By early September, the acceptance rate rose to 99.1 percent, with only 17 households remaining. Despite this milestone, some residents have alleged coercion and expressed distrust toward the government, specifically citing the refusal to release detailed building safety and inspection reports. Officials have attributed the withholding of data to “unfinished assessments” and the potential for misleading the public during typhoon season.

The government has announced a target for on-site reconstruction by 2035, while an independent inquiry into the blaze is expected to release its report next month.