TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A donation of 100 modular houses from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) was declined by Hualien County Government because it did not conform with requirements.

Speaking at the legislature on Thursday (Oct. 24), Hualien County Construction Department Director Teng Tzu-yu (鄧子榆) said the dwellings offered by TAO following the county's April earthquake were declined, per CNA. The dwellings were offered to Hualien Magistrate Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) by TAO during his visit to China in April.

Teng said that there are between 50 and 60 households that still need resettlement following the earthquake. The Red Cross Society is in discussions with the county government to provide the buildings needed. 

Teng said the Red Cross is looking at donating 40 prefabricated houses for the disaster victims.

Independent Legislator Yang Hua-mei (楊華美) asked Teng if the Red Cross-provided units were donated by TAO. Teng said they were not. 

Teng said the units the Red Cross is planning to build will be between 10 and 12 square meters including bathroom space, and can be assembled in a few days.

The houses can be dismantled and recycled once they are no longer needed, Teng said. He said any proceeds from recycling the dwellings will be returned to the Red Cross.

Teng added that more than 2,000 dwellings had been rebuilt or repaired since the earthquake. He said government subsidies, resettlement programs, and interim housing have also helped to provide housing for disaster victims.

The Tzu Chi Foundation also broke ground on a 144-room housing project for disaster victims in September, Teng said.