Affordability of social housing for youth in greater Taipei: justice for whom?

This policy review examines the new social housing policy implementation in Taipei and New Taipei City. This policy specifically targets young adults since the problem of housing affordability is perceived as an intergenerational question. This study examines the affordability of social housing apartments for different income groups and demonstrates that middle- to average-income households benefit most from living in the social housing. As a consequence this policy potentially jumpstarts the housing careers of middle-class youth, while the needs of low-income and disadvantaged families are under addressed. The reasons for the focus on ‘Generation Rent’ are discussed, as well as the cultural context of intra-generational wealth sharing in Taiwan. Furthermore, the social housing apartments are compared with options in the private rental market in terms of size and affordability. The results show that the government provides a segment of housing options, through social housing, that is currently absent in the private rental market. Lastly, the effect of this policy on the transformation of the housing market is discussed and found to be insufficient, because the narratives of commodified housing and the cultural value of ownership as an achievement in life are not challenged.