Hong Kong authorities will “shortly” announce long-term rehousing plans for residents displaced by the deadly Tai Po fire, after settling differences in individual preferences and resolving uncertainties over insurance and legal issues, the city’s leader has said.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made the pledge on Friday while visiting fire victims temporarily staying in a youth hostel in Kai Tak and revealed that he had instructed all ministers to conduct community visits before Lunar New Year to better understand people’s lives.

More than two months after the fire at Wang Fuk Court that claimed at least 168 lives, Lee told the press that he visited two displaced families and instructed his colleagues “not to stop working” during the coming holidays to expedite the formulation of a rehousing plan that could meet the needs of the victims.

Lee said he told them the government needed to overcome three major challenges: handling differences in families’ preferences, dealing with insurance issues related to property rights and potential legal disputes, and resolving uncertainties and complexities in compensation matters.

“If legal issues are not properly resolved, potential court disputes could delay our efforts to address the needs of affected families.

“All the affected residents we spoke to shared the same primary view, they want this settled as soon as possible.”

“I told them that I have asked my colleagues to formulate a proposal within a short period of time and announce it for residents to choose from.”