Taiwan's Rent Subsidy Program Faces Funding Hurdles: Is the Money Running Out?

Concerns Emerge as Rent Subsidy Funds Might be Exhausted by November, Prompting Scrutiny of Government Finances.

Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang recently stated during a legislative session that the Executive Yuan allocated NT$30 billion for expanded rent subsidies this year. However, NT$20 billion of this budget, funded through the Executive Yuan's public service budget, is still pending legislative review. Under these circumstances, the rent subsidies might be depleted between October and November.

In response, Liao Ting-hui, a researcher at the civic group OURs Urban Reform Organization, expressed his views on Facebook. He noted that since the general budget was approved in January, the National Land Agency has continuously voiced concerns about the freezing of the budget and the potential depletion of rent subsidies by November. This situation was reiterated during this week's special report on the transparency of the rental housing market. "The more I see it, the more frustrated I get," said Liao Ting-hui. "Do they really think no one will examine the budget, so they can just say whatever they want?"