Park Construciton Sparks Calls for Housing, Job Support for Homeless Residents

Ahead of November's local government elections, homeless individuals and advocacy groups in Taipei's Wanhua District are calling for comprehensive policy reform to support the city's homeless population. For decades, Bangka Park has served as an informal support hub for local unhoused communities. However, with the park scheduled to reopen on October 17th after extensive renovations, residents who were displaced to surrounding sidewalks fear further police crackdowns and eviction. Advocates point to Japan’s dedicated homelessness self-reliance laws as a model for Taiwan, urging public officials to provide monthly living allowances, accessible public housing and one-stop social support instead of pushing vulnerable groups further into the margins.