Tai Po fire: To sell or not to sell? As gov’t deadline looms, some owners still hope their homes can rise from the ashes
Betty Ho is adamant that she will not sell her flat in Wang Fuk Court under a government buyout scheme that is due to expire on Monday afternoon. Nine months have passed since the blaze that killed 168 people and displaced thousands from the Tai Po housing estate. An independent committee is still preparing its […]
As the government's deadline for accepting a buyout scheme in the Tai Po fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court approaches, some homeowners remain adamant about not selling their homes. Betty Ho, who has lived in the area for 35 years, remains determined to see the estate rebuilt on its original site rather than accept a cash payout or a new government-subsidised unit.
Despite the government's deadline for accepting the offer expiring on Monday afternoon, 1,984 households still have time to decide. An independent committee has been working to determine the cause of the fire that killed 168 people and displaced thousands. Some residents fear that refusing to sell their property could result in being treated like "nail houses" – individuals who refuse to move, often facing legal battles and isolation.
Anthony Cheung, a public administration scholar, warns that legislation for compulsory acquisition could be challenged in court and must prove a public purpose in order to override private property rights.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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