Hongkongers displaced by the deadly Tai Po fire feel as if they are “being tossed around like a ball” after being told to leave their temporary accommodation by the end of the month, and are urging authorities to let them stay until long-term housing is found.
Affected residents were recently told by social workers that they needed to move out of their temporary rooms at youth hostels by January 31.
The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau had said that such residents could move into transitional housing, while property owners could use the government’s HK$150,000 (US$19,249) annual subsidy to rent flats elsewhere.
The fire in November engulfed seven of Wang Fuk Court’s eight blocks, burning for about 43 hours. At least 161 people died in the tragedy and nearly 5,000 others were displaced.
The tragedy prompted authorities to provide temporary accommodation to affected residents.
According to figures from late December, 494 people were staying in hotel rooms, 549 at youth hostels or camps and another 3,591 in transitional housing.
