Social housing plan significantly scaled back, local governments protest

The administration of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has drastically scaled back its ambitious social housing program, a key campaign promise. The original plan to build 130,000 units over eight years has been reduced to 30,000 units. Correspondingly, the budget has been slashed from NT$204.6 billion to NT$82.1 billion.

This policy shift has drawn sharp criticism from local governments, particularly in areas where social housing demand far outstrips supply. The central government's decision to eliminate non-self-liquidating subsidies for local governments after 2028 has further exacerbated concerns. For instance, Taoyuan City has already seen NT$3 billion cut from 12 social housing projects planned for this year.

Local officials are expressing frustration, arguing that the central government's reduction in housing construction and subsidies effectively prevents local authorities from addressing the growing need for affordable housing. The move is seen as a significant policy reversal, potentially leaving many citizens without access to the promised social housing.