TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center, HURC (國家住都中心), reported 121,511 social housing units nationwide by the end of November on Sunday (Dec. 7). The announcement addresses concerns over President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) approach to social housing policies amid criticism of insufficient progress. Central government projects account for 69,579 units of the total housing inventory reported by the agency.
Liao Ting-hui, a researcher from The Organization of Urban Re-s, OURs (都市改革組織), stated the direct social housing initiative remains unapproved by government authorities. The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, has not approved the initiative due to significant cost concerns raised during internal budget reviews, according to Liao. HURC assured the overall policy advances on schedule, aligning with net-zero carbon goals and growing sustainability expectations from Taiwanese society.
HURC adopted various development methods to boost social housing supply, including urban renewal projects and land release in comprehensive development areas across Taiwan. The housing policy emphasizes diverse acquisition strategies and resource activation, with subleasing and professional management addressing market vacancies effectively throughout the country. Subleased and managed social housing totaled 100,302 units as of Monday (Nov. 17), with 70,579 units under direct central government management and oversight.
President Lai pledged to build an additional 130,000 social housing units on top of 120,000 units constructed under former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) before taking office. The combined target totals 250,000 social housing units for Taiwan's affordable housing program expansion. Internal Democratic Progressive Party, DPP (民進黨), discussions suggest Lai intends to incentivize developers through volumetric bonuses to release properties. ◼