Test of trust for Hong Kong’s new housing checks unit after Wang Fuk Court blaze
For former Wang Fuk Court resident Dorz Cheung, seeing will be believing when it comes to reforms initiated after the deadly inferno in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. The 34-year-old questioned whether the new oversight bodies would prevent another disaster, saying systemic reforms to tackle shoddy building maintenance and bid-rigging could be undermined by poor implementation. “No matter how well…
Residents in Hong Kong are eagerly awaiting reforms in the new housing checks unit, following the devastating Wang Fuk Court blaze that claimed 168 lives last November. Former Wang Fuk Court resident Dorz Cheung expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the new oversight bodies, emphasizing that the success of reforms depends on the dedication of the people implementing them.
Industry observers argue that the new Public Housing Building Control Section (PBC) must improve transparency and enforce practices to rebuild public confidence in the system. Carmen Lai, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, stressed the need for regular updates and proactive inspections to provide the public with information about the estates under the PBC's control.
The PBC, set to be established this month, will operate under the Housing Bureau and report to the permanent secretary for housing. It will also be audited by the Buildings Department. The reform has faced criticism for retaining some staff and practices from the Independent Checking Unit, which was deemed responsible for the Wang Fuk Court blaze.
The independent committee investigating the fire highlighted poor coordination and enforcement practices as key issues, with the unit only becoming aware of a site safety inspection policy years after its implementation. The committee suggested that the PBC should adopt a project-based approach, improve communication, and train the retained staff to better manage safety risks.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
