By Eryk Michael Smith. Info and images via Pingtung County Govt.
PINGTUNG — The Pingtung County Government has begun a new subsidy program to enhance the seismic resistance of private residential buildings following a series of frequent regional earthquakes. The county says the initiative will assist homeowners in identifying structural risks and improving overall housing safety.
The program offers two levels of financial assistance for building evaluations. Preliminary assessments are eligible for subsidies of up to NT$15,000 per case, while comprehensive and detailed evaluations can receive a maximum subsidy of NT$400,000. These assessments serve as critical documentation for several urban renewal policies, including the Statute for Expediting Reconstruction of Urban Unsafe and Old Buildings (危老重建) and the central government’s upcoming “Old House Life Extension” (老宅延壽) initiatives.
The application period is open effective immediately and will close on November 1, 2026.
The Department of Urban and Rural Development (城鄉發展處) stated that identifying structural vulnerabilities through professional assessment is the necessary first step toward structural reinforcement or home repairs, emphasizing that “prevention is better than cure.”
Interested residents can access application forms through the Department of Urban and Rural Development’s official website or contact the Public Safety and Use Division (公安使用科) at (08) 733-1524 for further information.
