TAIWAN | Control Yuan issued report on co-residence of the physically challenged in sheet-metal houses

The Control Yuan has issued a report calling for the New Taipei City Government, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to review the handling of the case last year of an illegal sheet-metal dwelling resided in by 18 wheelchair-bound individuals, and issuing advice on making improvements in related policy.

According to the CY investigation report, the New Taipei City Government conducted a fire safety check and determined the rental residence to be a fire hazard to public safety, listing it as an illegal structure and condemning it to demolition. The physically-challenged residents expressed the difficulty they would face in finding new rental accommodations as well as their reluctance to accept the city’s offer to be resettled, stating they hoped to be able to find a suitable location with convenient transportation services and handicap-friendly facilities to continue co-residing together. The CY urged the municipal government in its handling of the case to enhance communication with the affected residents, take both human rights and residential safety into account, and respect the individuals’ wishes and their right to live independently by helping them to find a suitable residence.

The Control Yuan pointed out that the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s community living services for the challenged are currently limited only to “mentally challenged adults” and “the severely physically challenged.” The plan is not comprehensive and fails to tend to the needs of the challenged. The MOHW should therefore conduct review of the situation and make the needed improvements in order to effectively integrate people with disabilities into the community and enable them to live independent lives, thereby fully complying with related provisions of international human rights conventions.

In addition, regarding the 750 social housing units in New Taipei City’s Linkou District reserved for the economically or socially disadvantaged, the MOHW should provide guidance and assistance to the municipal government in coming up with and implementing accompanying measures to establish a comprehensive system of support and services to meet the needs of these residents, the CY recommended.

According to the CY report, the case also shows that Taiwan’s housing- and social welfare-related laws do not include provisions covering co-residence by the disabled, the elderly, the homeless, women, youths and children, or multi-ethnic groups. The Ministry of Interior should take different types of living arrangements into consideration so that all may enjoy a comfortable living environment.

Source: Control Yuan, Taiwan