{
  "id": 2705794,
  "title": "'Wang Fuk buy-back offer deadline won't be extended'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/wang-fuk-buy-back-offer-deadline-wont-be-extended",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T03:38:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1867172-20260823.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The deadline for homeowners at the fire-damaged Wang Court Court to accept the government's acquisition offer will not be extended, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong announced on Sunday. As of Friday, nearly 95 percent of owners, or 1,878 households, had submitted their acceptance letters, while 74 percent had signed sales agreements with the government. Wong emphasized that the deadline is firm, warning that any delays would impact the government's larger resettlement plan. He added that residents have until the end of the month to submit their acceptance letters. Wong also stated that the selection of housing projects under the special sales exercise was expected to begin by the end of next month. Deputy Housing Secretary Winnie Ho clarified that a ballot would be held to determine the flat selection order, with residents receiving numbered allocations and a random draw scheduled for mid-September. Flat selection was anticipated to commence at the end of September. Recognizing that many Wang Court homeowners are elderly and may be unfamiliar with property transactions, Ho assured that ample time would be provided for flat selection. She noted that while the bureau typically handles 140 to 150 subsidized flat sales per day, the volume would be limited to 50 to 60 per day for Wang Court. As of now, 330 homeowners who opted for cash compensation rather than the flat-for-flat arrangement have completed the necessary procedures and received their payouts.",
  "summary": "The deadline for homeowners at the fire-ravaged Wang Court Court to accept the government’s acquisition offer will not be pushed back any further, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said on Sunday. Speaking on a radio programme, Wong noted that as of Friday, nearly 95 percent of owners — equivalent to 1,878 households — had submitted their letter of acceptance, while 74 percent had signed…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "Hong Kong rules out Wang Fuk Court buy-back extension as 100 owners hesitate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/hong-kong-rules-out-wang-fuk-court-buy-back-extension-as-100-owners",
        "published": "2026-08-23T03:24:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "'Wang Fuk buy-back offer deadline won't be extended'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/wang-fuk-buy-back-offer-deadline-wont-be-extended-2712165",
        "published": "2026-08-23T03:38:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}