00:00Once a bustling public center, now fenced off.
00:07This is Bunga Park in Taipei's Wanhua District,
00:10a hub and unofficial shelter for many who are between jobs
00:13or unable to find a roof over their heads.
00:16It's been closed for renewal, as the city looks to attract more tourists.
00:21Mr. Chen is one of the park's long-term residents.
00:23He says unhoused people from all over the country gather here for free supplies
00:28and a bit of kindness.
00:48But as construction begins, local NGOs fear its residents will have no choice
00:54but to seek shelter on nearby streets.
00:58The Taipei City Government has been working to refer park residents
01:15to shelters in other districts.
01:17But it is unclear how long they can stay
01:20and what their options are after that.
01:26For senior park residents like Mr. Chen,
01:42what they hope for is a shot at employment and stability,
01:46to have a stable income and meals to look forward to
01:49and to be able to take care of themselves.
02:04Official figures from 2023 put Taipei's homeless population
02:07at around 650, but the real number is likely much higher.
02:13Now, with a vital resource closing and government support limited,
02:17life is about to get even tougher for one of society's most vulnerable groups.
02:22Kang Ma Xu and Irene Lin for Taiwan Plus.
02:24There are many states this year,
02:41so a good thing about this scenario,
02:42I won't go back to the family home,
02:43but I can scrutinize myself with my ownδώ.
02:45The city of Asia and I've gotriers to work as much as
02:49the castle itself.
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