Taiwan launches three-pronged housing policy push

The Ministry of the Interior announced a three-pronged housing policy package emphasizing old-house lifespan extension, virtual floor area reform, and near-zero carbon buildings, presented during regional forums including the Sept 18 session in Taichung.

• The Ministry announced the main action: three core policies — “old-house lifespan extension and expanded autonomous urban renewal”, “virtual floor area reform”, and the “near-zero carbon building carbon-reduction flagship action plan”; the Ministry will push these through simplified procedures, funding support, and cross-ministerial coordination with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Health and Welfare to improve residential environments and reduce building energy use. Specific measures include prioritizing exterior/public-space improvements for old houses, providing financial subsidies, and introducing innovative technologies to promote energy efficiency and diffusion of near-zero carbon building practices.

• Background and additional details:

  • Policy context: The announcements respond to Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero target and the rapid population aging challenge described as “aging residents and aging housing”; the Land Administration Agency has proposed an “old-house lifespan extension plan” to facilitate repairs and attract younger residents back to old communities.
  • Resilience and safety focus: The Ministry will emphasize basement emergency refuge safety facilities and maintenance/protection for island/isolation communities to strengthen infrastructure resilience under the recently passed special statute for economic, social, and livelihood resilience.
  • Events:
    • Date: 2025-09-18 (ROC calendar 114-09-18)
      • Time: null
      • Location: National Chung Hsing University (Taichung)
      • Agenda: Current housing policy forum covering old-house lifespan extension, autonomous urban renewal, virtual floor area reform, and near-zero carbon building initiatives.
    • Date: 2025-09-05
      • Time: null
      • Location: Northern region forum (not specified)
      • Agenda: First regional forum on housing policy.
    • Date: 2025-09-24
      • Time: null
      • Location: Southern region forum (planned)
      • Agenda: Southern regional housing policy forum; invites construction associations, industry, academia, and civil society for consultation.