HA sets allowance rates for displaced SWE, MTWE households and businesses

The agency may approve Phase 2 transfers for special circumstances.

The Housing Authority (HA) will provide allowances to affected households and businesses during the redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate (SWE) and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate (MTWE).

Households may receive a Domestic Removal Allowance of $10,350 to $33,050, depending on family size, the press release said.

Eligible one- and two-person households may opt for the Alternative Rehousing Allowance, receiving $82,700 and $100,220 respectively instead of a public rental unit.

Tenants may also choose refurbished units in other districts or receive priority to purchase subsidised sale flats launched before the clearance deadlines.

For residents with special circumstances, applications to transfer to Phase 2 of MTWE will be considered at the HA’s discretion.

Eligible businesses at MTWE Phase 1 will receive an ex-gratia allowance equal to 15 times their monthly rent. They may participate in restricted tenders for new retail spaces, whilst those who opt out or are unsuccessful will receive a lump sum payment of $113,500.

The HA emphasised its commitment to preserving the cultural identity of the estates. Community engagement exercises will identify “featured shops” with unique characteristics, which will be invited to bid for reserved commercial premises.

The allowances follow the announcement of the clearance and rehousing arrangements for the redevelopment of SWE and MTWE Phase 1, giving affected tenants over 40 months to relocate.

SWE will be redeveloped in a single phase, with a target clearance date of September 2029, and residents will be rehoused in Phase 1 of the nearby Ka Wai Man Road public housing development, which the HA confirmed has sufficient units to allow neighbours to move together.

MTWE will undergo a two-phase redevelopment, with Phase 1—covering Geranium House and Narcissus House—scheduled for clearance in July 2029. Affected tenants will be offered units at To Kwa Wan Road or the new Mei Tung Estate.