How Much Is Affordable Senior Housing? Full Disclosure of Monthly Fees at 7 Elderly Apartments Across Taiwan: Up to 30% Off for Those Meeting One Condition

Have you ever imagined how you would spend your later years? Currently, there are seven public elderly apartments across Taiwan—four in Taipei City, and one each in New Taipei City, Chiayi City, and Kaohsiung City. Monthly rents vary by unit type and local regulations, ranging from approximately NT$6,000 to NT$28,000. The age requirement for residency typically falls between 60 and 65 years old, with the primary condition being basic self-sufficiency in daily living. Some municipalities offer preferential treatment or priority admission for economically disadvantaged seniors. For example, Taipei City prioritizes low-income and middle-low-income households, as well as those without owned housing. New Taipei City’s Wugu Elderly Apartment also grants priority to middle-low-income applicants, while Taipei’s Zhulun Elderly Apartment offers 20% off housing fees for low-income residents and 10% off for middle-low-income residents. Additionally, various counties and cities may provide other housing or rental subsidies. Eligible seniors can further inquire with their local social affairs bureau. For instance, residents of Chiayi City’s Senior Garden can apply for housing rental subsidies through the city government using their lease agreement, with the Senior Garden assisting in subsequent documentation and eligibility assessment.

Elderly Apartments Across Taiwan

### Taipei Yangming Elderly Apartment

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be registered residents of Taipei City and possess basic self-care ability, or score at least 90 on the Barthel Index. Applicants must be at least 65 years old, though spouses applying jointly are exempt from this age requirement. Applicants must not suffer from statutory infectious diseases, mental illness, or dementia. They must also meet income criteria: their most recent year’s total income, as determined by tax authorities, must be below the filing threshold, or their applicable income tax rate must be under 20%. Applicants listed as dependents on another’s tax return may also apply if they meet the same income conditions. A health examination is required prior to admission, including chest X-ray, hepatitis B, amoebic dysentery, bacillary dysentery, and tests for pinworm and roundworm eggs.

**Fees:** - Single room: NT$16,800/month - Double room: NT$25,400/month

**Deposit:** - Single room: NT$33,600 - Double room: NT$50,800 (interest-free refund upon move-out)

**Meal fee:** NT$4,800/month per person

**Others:** Electricity, phone, and cable TV fees are paid separately.

**Phone:** (02) 2861-9296

**Address:** 3F, No. 7, Gezhi Road, Shilin District, Taipei City

### Taipei Zhulun Elderly Apartment

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be registered residents of Taipei City and at least 65 years old. For couples applying jointly, the spouse is exempt from the age requirement. However, if the original applicant leaves or passes away, the spouse must be at least 60 years old to continue residing. Applicants must not have dementia and must possess self-care ability or score at least 90 on the Barthel Index. Priority is given to applicants who are low-income, middle-low-income, or without owned housing. Applicants must meet income criteria: their most recent year’s total income must be below the filing threshold, or their applicable income tax rate must be under 20%. Those listed as dependents on another’s tax return may also apply if they meet the same income conditions.

**Fees:** - 8-ping single room: NT$18,500, deposit NT$37,000 - 10-ping single room: NT$22,000, deposit NT$44,000 - 12-ping double room: NT$25,400, deposit NT$50,800

**Notes:** - Low-income households: 20% discount on housing fees - Middle-low-income households: 10% discount on housing fees

**Meal fee:** NT$4,500/month (three meals)

**Note:** Fees do not include in-unit cleaning, medical accompaniment, self-service laundry, or water, electricity, and phone fees due to personal usage.

**Phone:** (02) 2778-5153

**Address:** No. 15, Longjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City

### Taipei Zhongshan Elderly Residence

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be registered residents of Taipei City and at least 65 years old. Spouses applying jointly are not subject to age limits. However, if the senior leaves or passes away, the spouse must be at least 60 years old to continue residing. Applicants must not have dementia and must be able to manage daily life independently or score at least 90 on the Barthel Index. Priority is given to middle-low-income, low-income, and those without owned housing. Applicants must meet income criteria: most recent year’s total income below filing threshold or income tax rate under 20%. Those listed as dependents may also apply under the same conditions.

**Fees:** - Single room: NT$16,000–17,000 - Double room: NT$22,000

**Meal fee:** NT$5,000/month per person

**Phone:** (02) 2542-0006

**Address:** No. 2, Lane 101, Section 2, Xinsheng North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City

### Taipei Dalong Elderly Residence

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be registered residents of Taipei City and at least 65 years old. Spouses applying jointly are exempt from age limits, but must be at least 60 years old to continue residing if the original resident passes away or leaves. Applicants must not have dementia and must have self-care ability or score at least 90 on the Barthel Index. Middle-low-income, low-income, and those without owned housing have priority. For applicants seeking the 5th-floor visually impaired zone, all basic conditions—registration, age, health, and self-care—must be met. Applicants must meet income criteria: total income below filing threshold or tax rate under 20%. Dependents listed on another’s return may also apply if they meet the same conditions.

**Fees:** - Single room: NT$19,000, deposit NT$38,000 - Double room: NT$28,000, deposit NT$56,000

**Meal fee:** NT$4,200/month (breakfast, lunch, dinner), optional participation

**Notes:** Fees do not include water, electricity, phone, medical, or caregiving costs due to personal factors. Middle-low-income residents receive 20% discount, low-income residents 30% discount on monthly fees.

**Phone:** (02) 6617-8186

**Address:** 8F, No. 105, Minzu West Road, Datong District, Taipei City

### New Taipei Wugu Elderly Apartment

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be at least 60 years old and registered residents of New Taipei City, with basic self-care ability and no statutory infectious diseases or mental illness. Those unable to fully care for themselves or with special circumstances may be prioritized on a case-by-case basis. Priority is given to applicants or their spouses without owned housing or those with middle-low-income status.

**Fees:** Starting from approximately NT$8,000 for single rooms, NT$16,000 deposit, and NT$3,900 for meals. Exact fees should be confirmed with the facility.

**Phone:** (02) 2291-9699

**Address:** No. 1, Shuidui 2nd Road, Wugu District, New Taipei City

### Chiayi Senior Garden / Chiayi Comprehensive Senior Service Center Elderly Residence

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be at least 60 years old and capable of managing daily life independently. They must not have statutory infectious diseases with transmission risk, mental illness, dementia, or equivalent disability. A legal representative and emergency contact are required, with the emergency contact able to reach the site within 30 minutes. Residents must comply with admission assessments and follow the residence’s living and management rules.

**Fees:** Starting from NT$6,600/month for single rooms. Inquire directly for details.

**Phone:** (05) 276-3636

**Address:** No. 1, Gongyi Road, East District, Chiayi City

### Kaohsiung Elderly Apartment (Songhe Building)

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be Taiwanese nationals aged 65 or older. For couples, the spouse is exempt from the age requirement. Residents must be physically and mentally capable of self-care, without infectious diseases, mental illness, or diagnosed dementia, and must have basic payment ability. Applicants must have no serious criminal record, and their thoughts and behavior must be normal, posing no threat to public safety or social order. At least two relatives residing in Taiwan must serve as emergency contacts, with at least one living in southern Taiwan and able to arrive within two hours in an emergency.

**Note:** Health examination reports and related documents are based on original submissions.

**Fees:** - Single room: Management fee from NT$11,600, meal fee NT$4,600, deposit NT$100,000 - Double room: Management fee from NT$14,000, meal fee NT$9,200, deposit NT$200,000

**Phone:** (07) 748-1803

**Address:** No. 174, Pingdeng Road, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City

How to Check for Vacancies in Elderly Apartments?

Currently, there is no unified platform for checking vacancies in public elderly apartments across Taiwan. Those interested in residency are advised to directly contact the social affairs bureau of their local county or city, or inquire with individual public-private managed elderly apartments for the latest bed and room availability. As admission quotas and waiting lists may change at any time, actual vacancy status should be confirmed through official announcements or direct phone inquiries.

**Editor: Li Yiqing**