The Executive Yuan has allocated NT$5 billion (US$157.81 million) in subsidies for the renovation of residential buildings 30 years old or older to enhance their security and functionality, National Land Management Agency Director-General Tsai Chang-chan (蔡長展) told a post-Cabinet meeting news conference yesterday.
The Ministry of the Interior is to accept applications for renovations of old four to six-story apartment buildings or townhouses under six stories from May to Dec. 31 next year, Tsai said.
Regulations governing the renovation subsidy program stipulate that people must first apply for improvements to building exteriors that would enhance public safety before they can apply for internal renovations.
Photo courtesy of the Hondao Senior Citizen’s Welfare Foundation
Exterior renovations include repairing facades, rooftop waterproofing and heat insulation, stairwell and public pipeline repairs, removal of billboards, signage and illegal structures, and installation of elevators and other features to enhance accessibility, Tsai said.
At least three items from the aforementioned list must be completed before applying for subsidies for interior modifications, such as leveling interior spaces, and installing handrails, anti-slip and fall protection features, he said.
The ministry will also work with other programs, such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Installation Acceleration Plan, to provide up to NT$300,000 per application to install solar panels for buildings with a roof area of 1,000m2 or less, Tsai said.
The economics ministry is also to provide a subsidy of NT$3,000 for air-conditioners or refrigerators with an energy-efficiency rating of one, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare program is to provide triennial subsidies of up to NT$40,000 for people with “category two” disabilities or more.
Local governments would be required to set aside funds based on their economic performance to assist with implementing the programs, Tsai said.
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