Taiwan raises incentives for private developers donating social housing

Taiwan is offering private developers more building capacity in exchange for donated social housing, as the government seeks to expand the national supply.

The Interior Ministry amended the relevant regulations in August. Under the changes, donated social-housing projects in 14 counties and cities outside the six special municipalities can receive floor-area incentives equal to twice the building area, or an increase to 1.8 times the statutory floor-area limit.

The eligible areas include Keelung, Hsinchu, Chiayi, Hsinchu County, Miaoli, Nantou, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi County, Pingtung, Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and Penghu. The central government will receive the donated housing.

Authorities said the units secured through the policy will go first to families who married within the past two years or who have minor children. Taiwan had 243,400 social-housing units nationwide by the end of July. Nine cities and counties are expected to release a combined 1,000 housing units for newly married couples and families with children this year.

The government plans to release another 10,000 such units nationwide over the next three years. It also hopes the six special municipalities, along with Kinmen and Lienchiang, will amend their own regulations and support a goal of reserving 40% of social housing for families with marriage or child-rearing needs. Another stated aim is to allow families with children aged six or younger to remain securely housed for 12 years.