Tainan grapples with old house renovation subsidies amid concerns over limited quotas and high hurdles

A new central government initiative aimed at extending the lifespan of old houses has sparked heated discussion in Tainan, with local officials and residents expressing concerns over the program's limited quotas and high entry barriers. The "Old House Longevity Plan" seeks to subsidize renovations for older properties, but its implementation in Tainan has highlighted significant challenges.

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The central government's allocated subsidy funds for Tainan this year are estimated to only cover about 18 detached houses and 5 apartments, a proportion that is too low.

Councilors in Tainan pointed out that the subsidy program, while well-intentioned, may prove difficult for many homeowners to access. The central government has allocated 95 million NT dollars for Tainan's subsidies this year. However, it is estimated that this funding will only be sufficient to assist approximately 18 detached houses and 5 apartment units. This figure stands in stark contrast to the estimated 300,000 houses in Tainan that are over 30 years old and could potentially benefit from the program.

A major point of contention is the requirement for homeowners to first pay for a structural assessment before their application can be considered. Many residents fear that they might incur the cost of this assessment only to be denied the subsidy, leading to a situation where interest is high but applications are low. To address this, the city's Public Works Bureau has requested the Ministry of the Interior to consider adjusting the process to "accept applications first, then conduct structural assessments." This change aims to reduce the financial burden and uncertainty for applicants.

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The current system requires people to first pay for a structural assessment. Many worry they will spend the assessment fee but not receive the subsidy, leading to 'inquiries are hot, applications are cold.'

Officials are also working to ensure equitable distribution and accessibility. The subsidy ratio has been adjusted to a 1:2 configuration for apartments and detached houses, respectively, to better suit southern housing types. Consultation teams are available at both the Yonghua and Minzhi city government centers to provide guidance and hold information sessions. However, some councilors argue that the current scale of the program is insufficient to meet the actual demand and suggest improving the application process through a points-based system or a smart screening system to enhance efficiency and transparency.

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We have requested the Ministry of the Interior to suggest adjusting the process to 'accept applications first, then conduct structural assessments' to avoid people paying the assessment fee first but not receiving the subsidy, increasing the application burden.