Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen revealed more support measures on Thursday for thousands of residents at the housing estate, where at least 159 people including a firefighter died in last week’s blaze, the worst in decades.
She said the cash allowance was being increased because the weather was getting cooler and to meet the needs of residents.
As of noon, HK$2.8 billion in donations had been raised for residents, comprising HK$2.5 billion from the private sector and HK$300 million in seed money from the government.
Mak also said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu had tasked a committee led by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun to work out a long-term solution for residents.
“We know their most valuable assets are their flats, so don’t worry, the government has thought about this and will help study the issue of their long-term settlement,” she said.