Over recent years, the Da Nang authorities have effectively implemented a programme to give financial aid for the building of thousands of new houses, and repairing deteriorated ones, for local social policy families. 

City leaders visiting a new house built for a social policy family

This meaningful programme has been in part funded from the city budget, but there have also been donations from both home and abroad.

Ms Tran Thi Diem from Ngu Hanh Son District’s Khue My Ward is a typical recipient of financial aid to build a new house.  She once served as a guerrilla fighter at the K20 revolutionary base in the ward, whilst her husband was a patriotic prisoner-of-war on Con Dao Island in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. 

Ms Diem said that, in the past, her poor family had lived in an old makeshift house featuring bamboo panels and an aluminium roof.  Now, she is very happy with her new home. 

Also, the woman received 6 million VND in aid to create a means of living.  She used the money to open a roadside stall selling fruit in front of the city’s  Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital and she now earns enough to support herself and her whole family.  Most notably, Ms Diem’s family has already been lifted above the city’s poverty threshold.

Another beneficiary, Ms Ngo Thi Thich from Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Phong Commune, recently received financial aid to repair her downgraded house.  She expressed her joy as her family now owns a stronger and more spacious house.  The assistance is considered a big encouragement for her family to overcome their difficulties and their hardships. 

A social policy beneficiary in her new house

According to the municipal Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, last year over 42 billion VND was spent on building and refurbishing a total of 1,367 houses for social policy beneficiaries.  Of this figure, 25.5 billion VND came from the city budget whilst the remainder was collected from generous donors.

Since the start of this year, the refurbishment or building of another 1,223 houses has been completed. 

In addition to the refurbishment and building of houses for social policy beneficiaries, the local authorities have provided them with financial aid to create a means of living and to buy essential household appliances.

In the years ahead, importance will be attached to appealing for more donations from generous donors in order to increase the number of such houses.

Also, local social policy families who are living in degraded houses will be re-checked in order to, if necessary, put them onto the list of beneficiaries for the near future.