With the changing of their society, the people of the Republic of China have set higher standards for their housing. A typical family demands not only a house or apartment, but one with a serene, beautiful environment, convenient transportation and nearby cultural facilities. The house desired must have a graceful style in its exterior with comfortable and beautiful installations inside. The famous Chinese philosopher Mencius once said, "If people have not a certain livelihood, they will not have a fixed heart. And if they have not a fixed heart, there is nothing which they will not do." The Republic of China government has taken all steps possible in recent years toward improving the people's living conditions and helping them solve their housing problems. The goal is to have every individual in society leading a stable, happy life in the shelter of a warm, attractive home.
To achieve the goal that people have their own homes, the government helps solve the housing problems through the following programs: (l) Cooperative housing: Many municipal housing activities had been coordinated with those of private firms in cooperative housing projects. These projects are designed and constructed by the government; (2) Assistance to private investment housing: Private entrepreneurs, institutions, or legal personnel interested in housing may apply for loans of up to half of the construction costs from municipal governments; (3) Subsidized housing for the citizens: The government used a lump sum portion of revenue from levying the land value increment tax to obtain loans from the Central Bank for a fund for housing development; (4) Subsidized housing for public servants and teachers; (5)Relief housing: The government made great efforts to improve housing and living conditions for poor families and (6) Re-settlement housing: Old and illegal living accomodations are being eliminated and replaced with new buildings.
The building and selling of housing by the civilian constructing companies is having so great a boom that such fields as designing, supplying water and electricity, upholstering, furniture manufacturing and advertising are developing in their own ways. Those interested in buying houses can get loans of from 30% to 60% of the total price of a house in most instances. Housing built either by civilians or by governmental agencies is constructed according to the blueprint of a community. Plans include such public installations as roads, parks, schools, recreational centers, parking lots and marketing places. Traditionally, the family has been the fundamental basis and the center of social life in this country. Only when every individual in society has his own home and is leading a happy life can the country's social order and security be attained. The ROC government plans to build about 144,000 units of housing in the next six years.
Housing under construction in Taiwan
A living room offers relaxation
Housing built by a private firm
New housing ready for living
A blueprint of a planned housing project
The Kung-cheng Community in Kaohsiung city
The An-k'ang Community in Taipei
The Shuanhsi Community in suburban Taipei
The recreational center of a typical community
Housing built along a hillside
Housing in the Peitou District, Taipei
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