The Development Bureau welcomes the Housing Society's acquisition of two private-property interests and removal arrangements for tenants of the Blue House Cluster.

The bureau said it will adopt an approach which places greater emphasis on the social network in preserving the cluster.

The acquired properties will be handed over to the Government for preservation and revitalisation with other government properties in the cluster under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.

The affected eligible tenants may move out or stay behind in the cluster after renovation. The Housing Society will provide ex-gratia payment or rehousing to government and private-property tenants who opt to move out.

The bureau will invite non-profit-making organisations to submit applications for preserving and revitalising the cluster in the second half of this year. Four expressions of interest for preserving and revitalising have been received.

Interim housing will be arranged for the affected tenants within the vicinity of Wan Chai district while the revitalisation is underway.