Hong Kong to replace housing inspection unit after Tai Po fire inquiry
A new body is planned to oversee maintenance at public housing estates after an inquiry identified failures in supervision of the Wang Fuk Court renovation.
Hong Kong will replace the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit with a body overseeing maintenance at public housing estates, Chief Executive John Lee said on 29 October. The announcement follows an inquiry into the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po that found failures in supervision of renovation work, according to Hong Kong Free Press.
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said the new body would be formed in November. It is a further response to the inquiry following Lee’s apology and housing secretary Winnie Ho’s resignation. Wong is serving as acting housing secretary after Ho’s departure, Hong Kong Free Press reported.
How the new public housing regulator would work
Wong said the regulator would establish teams responsible for renovation work at public estates. Each team would include a communications officer to stay in contact with homeowners during renovations. The Development Bureau also plans to amend the Buildings Ordinance to strengthen the new body’s oversight of professionals and contractors involved in major maintenance work.
Lee said Chief Secretary Eric Chan would lead a steering committee to follow up on the inquiry’s 120 recommendations. Reuters, republished by The Straits Times, reported that the government would also set up an independent team to examine which officials should be held accountable and outline disciplinary action.
What the Wang Fuk Court inquiry found
The fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court on 26 November 2025. It killed 168 people and displaced thousands, according to an AP report published by France 24. The inquiry found that the Independent Checking Unit and Buildings Department failed in their supervisory duties over maintenance work at the complex, AP reported.
The panel identified inadequate investigation of foam boards and the fire retardant quality of scaffolding nets despite complaints, AP reported. Reuters said the judge-led report found that no department took effective ownership of fire safety issues. The panel attributed primary responsibility to contractor Prestige Construction & Engineering and project consultant Will Power Architects, according to Reuters.
Ho said she submitted her resignation to Lee on 28 October and was willing to bear political responsibility for the fire, according to the South China Morning Post. In her statement, she expressed condolences to victims’ families.
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Sources and context
- Tai Po fire: HK to replace housing inspection unit under fireHong Kong Free Press
- Hong Kong leader John Lee apologises for deadly Tai Po fire, pledges reformsReuters (republished by The Straits Times)
- Hong Kong leader apologises and housing minister resigns after fire investigation exposes failuresFrance 24 with AP
- Hong Kong housing chief quits over fatal fire, accepts political responsibilitySouth China Morning Post
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.