Evicted sub-divided flats tenants to get $4.5m subsidy

900 eligible households are said to benefit from the subsidy in the coming year.

According to a release, those being ordered by the Buildings Department to move out of sub-divided flats will receive a removal subsidy, Chief Secretary Stephen Lam has announced.

Speaking to the media as the Community Care Fund Steering Committee Chairman after the committee met today, Mr Lam said the $4.5 million initiative will be able to help 900 eligible households in the coming year.

He also said the fund, in co-operation with the Employees Retraining Board, will offer language learning subsidy, ranging from $350 to $700, for low-income ethnic minority members and new arrivals.

Mr Lam said preferences will be given to those households being ordered to move out of sub-divided flats in industrial buildings, but the subsidy will also be offered to those living in private buildings.

According to fund executive committee chairman Law Chi-kwong, a $2,100 subsidy will be offered for each eligible one-person household, $4,600 for each household of two to three persons, and $6,100 for each household of four persons or more.

Mr Lam said more than 40,000 applications have been received for the $6,000 allowance for new arrivals and the allowance will be distributed in November as planned.

Earlier today, Mr Lam visited the Endeavourers Leung Lee Sau Yu Memorial Primary School in Shau Kei Wan to learn more about the operation of the school lunch subsidy for students from low-income families.