Taiwanese Groups Decry 'Broken Promise' on Social Housing, Fear Displacement of Vulnerable Residents

Taiwanese civic groups are voicing strong criticism over President Lai Ching-te's commitment to constructing 130,000 social housing units within eight years, labeling it a "broken promise."

Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang has indicated that the government's focus may shift away from direct construction. This has led to concerns among advocacy groups, including the OURs Urban Regeneration Organization and 20 other civil society organizations, that the pledge is being diluted. Their recent protest highlighted fears that the government's plan to reserve 40% of social housing for "marriage and child-rearing" families could significantly reduce opportunities for vulnerable populations, such as people with disabilities, to secure housing.

The Taiwan Association of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (TARPD) supports the civic groups' demands and urges the president to uphold the 130,000-unit construction promise. They argue that substituting physical construction with rental subsidies or master leasing schemes is a conceptual shift that fails to address the systemic discrimination and physical barriers faced by individuals with disabilities in the private rental market. TARPD emphasized the scarcity of accessible housing and the need for landlords to improve accessibility.

Furthermore, TARPD pointed to the government's recent announcement of 18 measures for "Taiwan's Population Strategy New War – Family Support Chapter," which includes expanding social housing for families with young children. They argue that dedicating 40% of social housing to these units, especially without prioritizing new construction, will further marginalize other economically and socially disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities.

The association also criticized the current social housing pricing, which they believe violates housing justice principles due to the "financial self-sufficiency" myth. They cited examples of three- or four-bedroom apartments near Taipei's metro stations costing nearly NT$20,000 per month, making them unaffordable for low-income families reliant on subsidies. TARPD called for increased proportions of universally designed, family-oriented units in future construction plans and for extended residency periods for families with disabilities requiring long-term community and support services.