Promoting Housing for Newlyweds and Families via Floor Area Bonuses and Corporate Donations, Aiming for 76,000 Units by 2028

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 27. President Lai Ching-te announced a new strategy for Taiwan's population policy today. To achieve 'housing pressure relief,' the government will vigorously promote housing for newlyweds and families. Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang stated that the government plans to promote legal amendments to use the increased floor area ratio bonuses as a source for such housing, while also encouraging corporate donations, with the hope of increasing the supply to 76,000 units by 2028. President Lai held a press conference this morning with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Premier Cho Jung-tai, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, and heads of ministries to announce 18 measures under the 'Taiwan Population Strategy—Family Support,' including growth allowances for children aged 0-18, expanded subsidies for artificial reproduction, tax cuts for child-rearing families, and extensions of marriage, maternity, and paternity leave to address the challenges of low birth rates and population structure. President Lai stated, 'Only when people have a secure place to live can they work with peace of mind, and only when they have a secure place to live will they dare to have children.' The government will comprehensively promote tax incentives for marriage and child-rearing housing and provide such housing vigorously, including allocating 40% of social housing as marriage and child-rearing housing and cooperating with the private sector through floor area bonuses to acquire such units. Liu Shyh-fang explained that marriage and child-rearing housing will prioritize occupancy for families within two years of marriage or those with minor children, and families with children aged 0-6 can reside for up to 12 years. The central and local governments will work together to provide a total of 10,000 such units from 2025 to 2028, and the government will work with enterprises to increase the number of such housing units. The Housing Act already stipulates that at least 20% of social housing should be rented to families within two years of marriage or those with minor children. Liu Shyh-fang stated that this will be continuously increased from 20% to 40%. Liu Shyh-fang indicated that subsequent amendments to the Building Technical Regulations, Urban Renewal Act, and the Act for Reconstruction of Dangerous and Old Buildings will be used to utilize the increased floor area ratio bonuses as a source for marriage and child-rearing housing, and the government also hopes for corporate donations. Currently, about 170,000 units are estimated to be available for such use. Liu Shyh-fang pointed out that after the amendments are passed, the number of such housing units will gradually increase, and it is expected to reach 76,000 by 2028.