NPA invites social housing bids

PROTESTS:Civic groups accused the government and construction firms of ignoring the needs of the disabled who have very limited housing options

By Ted Yang  /  Staff Reporter

A disabled person holds up a sign, joining a protest with a group of non-homeowners outside the office of the National Property Administration in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: CNA

The National Property Administration (NPA) yesterday invited open tenders for the construction of social housing for students and the elderly based on the build-operate-transfer model, but drew criticism from civic groups, who said the government was ignoring the plight of the disabled.

The agency began collecting tenders for three plots of land located in prime areas in Taipei City, which will be leased out to build affordable houses, with royalties ranging from NT$837 million (US$27.2 million) to NT$29.44 million. The tenders are scheduled to be opened on Dec. 15.

Representatives of Raging Citizens Act Now (RCAN, 人民火大行動聯盟) accused the agency of currying favor with land developers and neglecting low-income students and senior citizens, as well as excluding the disabled from the social welfare project.

Debates on naming : "social housing" or "affordable housing"?

On an island where social housing has not been promoted or even recognized, debates on social housing grew with heating politics caused by impending elections of five major metropolitans in the end of this year. It involves a major question, "what is social housing?" and thereby "who should be considered in the envisioning of social housing?" Many people would suggest the minority. However, this term fails to address the emerging picture of the whole scene either.

There are groups asking housing right for young people, poor students, and the elder. On the other hand, many sub-groups who belong to the minority feel left out such as the disabled community. 

There is also issue of labeling- or to be more strait-forward, stigmatizing. The discourse goes as follows, social housing is desperately in need, yet social housing should not be provided like an enclave locating on the edge of the city. It should not be planned as a concentration camp where all of the powerless live outside of the majority's eye sight. However, people who concern for land rent gap like developers argue that expensive land in the city center should be fully developed to qualify its capacity.

to be continued...