Each homeowner of fire-hit Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po is set to receive a one-time subsidy of HK$100,000 (US$12,851), while the support fund has now reached HK$3.4 billion, a senior Hong Kong official announced on Thursday.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said the one-off allowance was approved during a steering committee meeting on Wednesday.

He noted that the fire caused some owners to lose rental income, and that many had previously renovated and maintained their flats, and were now facing cash flow pressures.

If a flat has multiple owners, the subsidy will be distributed proportionally among them, he added.

Cheuk said the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court, established by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Nov 27, has received HK$3.1 billion in donations. Combined with the government's initial capital injection of HK$300 million, the fund has reached HK$3.4 billion.

Cheuk, who oversees the Support Fund, noted that it has received over 263,000 donations. Among these, 170 contributions of at least HK$5 million each total approximately HK$1.7 billion, accounting for more than half of all public donations received.

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The Inland Revenue Department will make special arrangements to facilitate donors. Cheuk stated that donors who contribute HK$50,000 or less and transfer the funds into the dedicated account need only retain the relevant records for verification to be eligible for a tax deduction.

The government will start to process donation receipts from next week, Cheuk added, stressing that the fund will be used to assist residents in rebuilding their homes and providing long-term and sustained support.

READ MORE: HK fire death toll rises to 160, six still missing

A total of 257,000 of the individual donations amounted to less than HK$10,000.

The total amount of subsidies committed is approximately HK$460 million. So far, 1,617 cases have received a HK$100,000 living allowance. The Support Fund will provide families of each deceased victim with a HK$200,000 token of solidarity, as well as HK$50,000 to cover funeral costs, and a total of 106 cases have been processed.

Assistance subsidies ranging from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000 have been granted to 64 injured cases, Cheuk said. Additionally, a one-off aid payment of HK$20,000 has been distributed to 63 foreign domestic helpers, 220 students, and 110 workers.

As of Wednesday, the death toll of Tai Po fire has risen to 160; six people are still missing.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com