Officials with the Hong Kong Government Quick Response Unit help residents to move their personal belongings from the Wang Fuk Court apartment blocks in the aftermath of the deadly November 26 fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on December 3, 2025. Photo: VCG

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government-led Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has so far received about HK$3.1 billion in donations from the public, a local official from the HKSAR government said on Wednesday. 

Together with the HK$300 million in seed funding provided by the government, the total amount of the fund has now reached HK$3.4 billion, Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government, told a press conference on Wednesday, according to local media reports. 

In view of the financial pressure faced by some homeowners who, due to the fire, have been unable to rely on rental income to cover daily expenses, the HKSAR government will provide a one-off subsidy of HK$100,000 to the owner of each affected unit, Cheuk said. 

The total amount of assistance announced so far involves approximately HK$460 million. These include 106 cases in which HK$200,000 in condolence payments and funeral subsidies have been issued to the families of the deceased; 1,617 affected households receiving a HK$100,000 living allowance; and 64 cases of injured persons receiving subsidies ranging from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000, the official said. 

In addition, subsidies of HK$20,000 have been provided to 63 foreign domestic helpers, 220 students, and 110 workers each.

As of Tuesday morning, a total of 1,431 residents affected have been accommodated, through the co-ordination of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, in youth hostels, camps, or hotel rooms, according to the HKSAR government. 

Another 2,530 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or units from the Hong Kong Housing Society. Moreover, the Tai Po District Office continues to operate a temporary shelter at Tai Po Community Centre, which remains open to residents in need. 

The other temporary shelter at Tung Cheong Street Community Hall will remain in operation until the existing users have relocated to arranged emergency accommodations.

The death toll from the deadly blaze at the Wang Fuk Court fire has risen to 160 as of Tuesday, according to the police. Six people are still missing.

The HKSAR government has so far received around HK$3.1 billion in donations from the public to the relief fund. Among them, there were 257,000 donations below HK$10,000, and 170 donations exceeding HK$5 million.

Cheuk said that starting next week, the government will begin handling donation receipts. For donations below HK$50,000 made via bank transfer, donors only need to keep the transaction record for verification, and they will be eligible for tax deductions.