The country's first original land-protected planned residence was completed. Chen Zhuxiang, a 63-year-old tribesman in Ping County, finally has his own home.

Ma'er Village, Sandimen Township, Ping County, belonging to the Paiwan ethnic group, moved to its current location nearly 60 years ago. Due to lack of building land, some villagers have been unable to build houses. After years of planning, the township office has assisted 22 families to obtain land use rights. Now, the construction of the new house of 63-year-old villager Chen Zhuxiang has been completed, becoming the first original land-protected planned house completed in the country. Chen Zhuxiang said happily, "I finally have my own house!"

The Sandimen Township Office in Ping County stated that there was insufficient land for construction after the relocation of Ma'er Village. With the increase in tribal population, some tribesmen have been facing the long-term dilemma of having no legal land for building residences. In order to solve the land problems left over from history, the township office actively promotes the reservation of indigenous peoples. After more than 20 years of planning, coordination and communication, the first wave of assistance to 17 households in 2019 to obtain land use rights for construction, and another 5 households in 2025, totaling more than 1,000 square meters of land, with each household allocated about 50 square meters.

Among the 22 households, Chen Zhuxiang's self-built house is progressing the fastest and was officially completed this year. Currently, there are three tribes in Ping County and Taitung County who are promoting the unified planning of housing on original protected land. Chen Zhuxiang's house can be said to be the first completed planned house on original protected land in the country. To celebrate the completion of the new home, the tribe held a thanksgiving service today (8th). The township chief Zeng Youqin came to congratulate and said that this symbolizes an important step in protecting the housing rights of the tribe and also writes an important milestone for the indigenous land policy.

Chen Zhuxiang said that when he was in his 20s, he left the Ma tribe and went to Pingtung City to rent a house and work. He never had his own house until he obtained the right to use the land. It took about 5 years and about 3 million yuan of savings to build a one-story bungalow with two rooms, a living room and a kitchen. Although it is not gorgeous, he finally has his own house to live in and realize his dream. "I am so happy and feel safe!"

Chen Zhuxiang currently lives in his new home with his daughter and grandson, Guyi. Zeng Lule said that he used to live with his grandmother in Pingtung City, and would stay at his aunt's house when he returned to the tribe during holidays. After the completion of the new home, he finally had his own room. He was very touched and grateful to his grandmother. Now he commutes from the tribe to Pingbei High School every day, which is very convenient.

The tribesmen built houses through the unified planning for the development of the original protected land for construction. Although they do not own the land, they can build houses on the land. The use rights can be inherited and cannot be bought or sold. However, the funds required to build their own houses are still a big challenge. The township office explained that among the 22 households that have obtained the right to use the land, except for Chen Zhuxiang's house, only two households are under construction.