Hong Kong welfare group scraps ban on Tai Po survivors keeping donated appliances
SideBySide U-turns on policy hours after some residents in temporary housing argue donated items are theirs to keep even after they move out
A Hong Kong welfare group has dropped a controversial policy barring displaced Tai Po fire residents in its temporary accommodation from taking in-room appliances and furniture when they move out.
SideBySide made the U-turn hours after an outcry from affected residents, who argued that the ban was unreasonable because the items had been donated to them by the community.
The ban was applied to the government transitional housing project in Tai Po, Good House, managed by SideBySide.
One of the residents questioned the welfare group in a social media post: “The unit is only 150 square feet and not enough for my family of three. So, we decided to move out.
“But why can’t we take away the furniture and appliances that … were donated to the victims? Can anyone tell me why?”
In an earlier statement on Sunday, SideBySide said some household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, television sets, beds, tables and air conditioners were bought with funds applied for by the group.
It also said it had consulted donors and agreed that the supplies should be left for the new residents to use when they moved in, although items such as pillows, hairdryers and heaters could be taken by residents when they leave.