Hong Kong Housing Secretary Winnie Ho Resigns as Leader John Lee Apologises Over Tai Po Fire

Hong Kong's housing secretary, Winnie Ho, has resigned, and the city's leader, John Lee, has apologised to the public after an investigation into the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po found inadequate regulatory oversight. Lee announced the resignation on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Ho is the first official to resign over the fire.

What Lee said

Lee said Ho "should bear political responsibility" although no personal wrongdoing was found, and the Associated Press reported that Ho had resigned on Wednesday. At the opening of the news conference, Lee and seven other top officials bowed in apology. Lee said: "As chief executive and head of the government, I am deeply saddened. On behalf of the SAR government, I offer my apologies to the victims and the public at large."

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will take on the housing portfolio. Lee announced the changes at a press conference at the Central Government Offices in Tamar at 2:45 p.m. Hong Kong time on Thursday.

The fire

The fire broke out in November 2025 at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. It engulfed seven 31-storey tower blocks that were undergoing renovation work, killed 168 people and displaced thousands of residents. It was Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948.

What the inquiry found

An independent committee found that the Housing Bureau's independent checking unit failed in its duties in supervising the maintenance work. Lee said four government bodies bore partial responsibility. The independent panel sat for about nine months, held 30 hearings and produced a report of 800 to 900 pages and about 330,000 words, which was submitted last week.

Charges and promised reforms

Separate criminal investigations have charged seven people and two companies with offences including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud. Authorities allege that the renovation contract, worth more than 300 million Hong Kong dollars (more than 38 million US dollars), was obtained after previous litigation records were concealed.

Lee promised extensive reforms to the building industry and the regulatory system. The government plans to table Buildings Ordinance amendment proposals in the Legislative Council before the end of 2026, moving away from industry self-regulation toward more active government scrutiny and sharply higher maximum fines. The government is also studying legislation to make bid-rigging in building maintenance a criminal offence.

For the families of the 168 people who died, the criminal cases continue separately from the political fallout. Seven people and two companies face charges including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud, and the government says its proposed Buildings Ordinance amendments, with sharply higher maximum fines, will go to the Legislative Council before the end of 2026.