The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has refuted unfounded media reports regarding the housing and rental arrangements for flat owners of Wang Fuk Court, reaffirming that support will continue until their long-term housing is finalized.

Responding to reports that some residents would be required to vacate transitional housing within 30 days of receiving acquisition payments or new flat keys, the government clarified in a statement that the claims are baseless.

According to the statement, owners affected by the Nov 26 blaze, which tore through seven out of eight blocks of the residential complex leaving 168 people dead, will remain eligible for accommodation and rental grants throughout the transition period, including those participating in the Special Sales Exercise or "flat-for flat" arrangements.

Operating organizations of transitional housing projects have consistently provided flexible move-out arrangements for residents, the Housing Bureau emphasized.

While a 30-day move-out period is standard, the bureau clarified that operators will offer flexibly for residents with genuine needs, such as those awaiting completion of renovations or preparing to move into new homes.

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“This arrangement applies to all Wang Fuk Court residents no matter they choose to arrange their own long-term accommodation, or they opt for the Special Sales Exercise or a "Flat-for-Flat" arrangement,” reads the statement.

The Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po announced in last December that it would provide owners with an annual rental grant of HK$150,000 for two years. The grant is disbursed semi-annually in instalments of HK$75,000.

For owners who choose to sell their titles for cash instead of participating in the Special Sales Exercise, the rental grants will be provided until the sale proceeds are credited to their account, said the SAR government.

“Rental grants received before the credit date will not need to be refunded, but no further grants will be disbursed thereafter,” it added.

For owners participating in the Special Sales Exercise, the Housing Bureau confirmed that rental grants will be provided until the intake date of their subsidized sale flats, which is the day the flat keys are collected. While any rental grants received before the intake date do not need to be refunded, the Housing Bureau clarified that no further grants will be disbursed after that date.

The Housing Bureau said its engagement team will explain the arrangements to Wang Fuk Court owners, asking residents with any questions to contact the team directly for assistance.