Kaohsiung Launches Subsidy Program for Renovating Old Homes, Applications Open Until Aug. 21

(CNA, Kaohsiung, May 21) The Kaohsiung City Public Works Bureau has announced that under the Ministry of the Interior's "Old House Life Extension Subsidy Program," it will provide subsidies for renovating public and interior spaces in apartments (4-6 stories) and detached houses (under 6 stories) that are over 30 years old. Applications in Kaohsiung are open from today until August 21. Yang Chin-fu, Director of the Kaohsiung City Public Works Bureau, stated that as Taiwan enters a super-aged society, the proportion of old houses is increasing annually. Without proper renovation and maintenance, building safety risks will also rise. To help people improve their living environments in old houses, the Ministry of the Interior has promoted the "Old House Life Extension Subsidy Program" to assist with residential repairs. In a press release, the Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau stated that the city will accept applications for the program starting today until August 21. After the application period, subsidy priority will be ranked according to six indicators; applicants simply need to submit their application within the deadline. The subsidy covers items such as exterior walls, roof waterproofing, pipe replacement, and accessibility facilities. Any 4-to-6-story apartment or detached house under 6 stories that is over 30 years old and has a use permit or a legal housing certificate issued by the Public Works Bureau is eligible to apply. The Bureau indicated that this subsidy will be processed via a "unified review after the application period." Therefore, after receiving applications starting today, an initial review for completeness will be conducted, followed by a substantive review after the deadline. The subsidized items and amounts will be evaluated based on the results of individual case investigations and actual needs. Additionally, priority for this subsidy will be determined by six bonus-point indicators, including having elderly or disadvantaged persons in the household, peeling tiles on the original exterior wall, applying to install rooftop or facade solar panels, and providing the property as social housing for rent management. Furthermore, the Public Works Bureau will establish a professional counseling team to provide consultation and application assistance to the public. Application documents and related subsidy information can be found and downloaded from the "FY115 Old House Life Extension Subsidy Section" on the right side of the "Kaohsiung City Government Public Works Bureau, Building Administration Office" website.