Following the devastating April 3 Hualien Earthquake that struck Taiwan in 2024, the urgent need for stable housing and community rebuilding became a top priority. November 15, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the region's recovery with the official inauguration of the Great Love Residential Complex in Hualien City.

This new complex provides 144 units of transitional and long-term welfare housing, offering a secure and supportive environment for earthquake survivors, vulnerable families, and the elderly. This project is Tzu Chi's first integrated welfare community designed to combine elderly care, support for the vulnerable, and stable housing at its founding location.

Offering words of encouragement, Master Cheng Yen stated, "When others are hurt, we feel their pain. We must safeguard them with compassion and help bring stability to their lives." This is the spirit of active empathy, the driving force behind Tzu Chi's immediate and long-term relief efforts.

From Disaster to Stable Living in One Year

The journey to completion was marked by swift, cross-departmental action. Just six days after the earthquake (April 9, 2024), the Hualien County Government initiated a survey for transitional housing needs. Tzu Chi immediately began planning and signed the Stable Living Plan with the county government on June 2nd of the same year.

The county government provided the land for Tzu Chi to construct the five-story residential complex next to Xinyi Elementary School. Through intensive collaboration, Tzu Chi streamlined administrative processes, engineering design, and construction schedules, managing to break ground just five months after the disaster. The project was completed within one year, a testament to the collective effort to help families transition from uncertainty to a secure future.

We constructed the permanent homes with the same speed normally used for constructing temporary housing. I’m grateful to our construction partner, Liangyou Construction, for working alongside us. We are very happy for the residents who will soon move in, and we earnestly hope that Hualien will be free from disasters in the days to come.
—Po-Wen Yen, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation

Integrated Welfare and Smart Design

The newly completed Great Love Residential Complex is a five-story building comprising 144 units: 112 studio apartments and 32 two-bedroom units. Its design focuses on the critical dual purpose of offering transitional housing for earthquake survivors and providing long-term care for vulnerable individuals and the elderly.

Safety and Sustainability

• Seismic Resilience: The project fully utilized the Alfa Safe Earthquake-Resistant System, maximizing the structural resilience and toughness of the building.
• Durable Exterior: The exterior uses pebbledashing, known for its weather resistance, fire resistance, insulation properties, and ease of maintenance. This design continues Tzu Chi's commitment to "safety, solidity, and sustainability," a core principle upheld since the Project Hope school reconstructions after the 1999 earthquake in Taiwan.

Community and Convenience

The complex has been designed for comfort and accessibility. The building includes a community center, parking for cars and motorcycles, and elevators. The ground floor incorporates greenery and recreational facilities, providing spaces for residents to socialize, for the elderly to chat, and for children to play. The location offers convenient access to transportation and amenities.

Move-In Ready: Immediate Stability

To ensure residents can settle in immediately and without stress, all units have been fully furnished and equipped, adhering to a comprehensive "move-in ready" standard. Tzu Chi has provided essential furniture and appliances, allowing survivors to move in with just their personal belongings.

• Appliances & Amenities: Refrigerator, 10kg washing machine, air conditioning, independent bathroom, and ready-to-use kitchen equipment.
• Furnishings: Bed frames, mattresses, bedside tables, and dining sets. Two-bedroom units also include a three-seater sofa and a coffee table.
• Welcome Gifts: Bedding sets and daily necessities were provided as a housewarming package.

One of the future residents, Mr. Yong-He Wu inspected the accessible facilities from his wheelchair, guided by personnel on site. He expressed his profound gratitude:

Since the earthquake, the care we have received from Tzu Chi has been immense. And now, they have helped secure a stable home for us. We had been hoping for this moment every day; my brother even came to check on the construction site daily. To see all the essential amenities complete—the private bathroom, the refrigerator, the washing machine—it is truly touching. Tzu Chi didn't just offer us shelter; they gave us encouragement, helping us stand up bravely. We feel compelled to quickly rebuild our lives and, in turn, share this power of Great Love by helping others.

Another resident, Mr. Sheng-Hui Wu, also praised the quality and efficiency of the build:

Over the past year, from the groundbreaking to the completion of this Great Love Residential Complex, I visited the site whenever I had a chance. What I witnessed was a remarkably solid construction method; every single detail was handled with precision, which was genuinely reassuring. I was also deeply impressed by the site management: the work area was kept immaculately clean, with construction waste collected and removed the very same day. The efficiency and commitment were incredibly high.

A New Chapter for Hualien

The completion of the Great Love Residential Complex is not merely a critical milestone in post-disaster reconstruction; it symbolizes Hualien's renewed hope and resurgence. Tzu Chi pledges to continue its companionship with vulnerable families and the elderly, ensuring that every resident finds stability, peace of mind, and security here to begin a new life.

Written by Yi-Ting Wang (王藝婷), Yi-Chien Chen (陳誼謙)

Source: 大愛福利社區大樓落成揭牌 144戶災民拎包入住新宅
慈濟援建「0403花蓮地震」大愛福利社區大樓落成揭牌