Taiwan Government Launches Housing Plan to Support Families

The Executive Yuan in Taiwan has approved a comprehensive set of measures aimed at enhancing housing affordability for young families. This initiative includes the launch of the “Stable Housing Plan,” which specifically targets newlywed couples and families with young children, as announced during a recent Cabinet meeting.

Deputy Minister of the Interior Dong Jian-hong outlined that the Stable Housing Plan will allocate 20 percent of social housing units to families with children under six and couples married for less than two years. This plan, which will run until 2028, allows successful applicants to occupy units for a maximum of 12 years, significantly longer than the standard six-year term for regular social housing tenants.

In the first year, approximately 1,000 units will become available, with a target of 11,000 units by the end of the program. The initiative also includes an annual subsidy of NT$6,000 (approximately USD 195.41) to enhance home safety for children. Moreover, eligibility for rent subsidies will expand, increasing to 3.5 times the minimum cost of living, with additional benefits for newlyweds and families with children.

The housing programs are expected to assist around 483,000 households, with 315,000 benefiting from rent subsidies and 168,000 through rental housing management programs. A budget of NT$27 billion has been allocated for these initiatives, which will officially commence on January 1, 2024.

To address disputes between landlords and tenants, the Cabinet plans to amend the Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act. This amendment aims to prevent landlords from obstructing tenants’ applications for rent subsidies or household registration at rented properties. Violators could face fines. Additionally, landlords must provide at least six months notice before raising rents, which cannot exceed the annual rental index growth rate.

Tenants will be entitled to a three-year lease term, including any renewal period, mirroring the protections given to social housing renters. The amendments will also allow tenants to access free mediation through local offices or obtain free legal assistance for disputes.

In tandem with housing initiatives, a preferential housing loan program has been introduced. This program excludes young homebuyers from the 30 percent cap on real estate loans imposed by the Banking Act, thereby increasing banks’ lending capacity. Young applicants must commit to personally occupying the property and may face penalties for non-compliance, such as adjustments to loan terms.

The government is also revising family leave policies to further support parents. Under the new guidelines, parents can now apply for parental leave per day, with up to 30 days available annually per parent. Family care leave can also be taken hourly, catering to urgent needs for parents and those caring for elderly relatives.

To encourage businesses to provide care leave, the government will offer a daily subsidy of NT$1,000 per family care day for small firms with fewer than 30 employees. The revised family leave rules are expected to impact approximately 10 million workers. Employers who deny parental leave requests or interfere with scheduling may face fines up to NT$300,000.

These new measures signify a concerted effort by the Taiwanese government to improve the living conditions for families and enhance parental support. The initiatives reflect a broader commitment to social welfare and housing accessibility in the region.