Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference in Ha Noi on Monday to discuss measures to expand affordable housing developments for workers and low-income earners.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the conference

The conference was connected online from the headquarters of Viet Nam's national government to the broadcasting bridge points of some centrally-governed cities and provinces. Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh presided the event at the city’s broadcasting bridge point.

In his opening speech delivered at the conference, PM Chinh revealed thanks to the active involvement and efforts made by the whole political system, especially localities and businesses, nearly 7.8 million m² of affordable houses have been built, partly meeting the housing demands of hundreds of thousands of low-income families and hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide. However, he pointed that the figure has yet to meet the goal and it has satisfied only part of people’s demands. The requirement for more houses for workers and low-income earners is urgent, he stressed.

Mechanisms, policies and implementation process reveal many shortcomings and limitations that need to be tackled in order to give better care for workers and low-income earners, the Government leader added.

The PM hoped that through the conference, leaders of ministries, sectors, localities and construction businesses would clarify shortcomings and difficulties during the social housing development, finding the reasons and giving solutions.

According to a report released by Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, 301 affordable housing projects in urban areas have been completed, providing around 156,000 apartments with a total area of more than 7.79 million m². Meanwhile, 401 other projects with nearly 455,00 apartments that have total area of about 22.718 million m² are underway.

Mr. Nghi, however, said that these projects have yet to meet demands of low-income households for affordable houses.

He asked for a helping hand from the business community to construct more social houses, as well as seek more solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles in relevant policy implementation.

Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh presided the city’s broadcasting bridge point

In Da Nang, as of late July 2022, the city had built 13,938 affordable apartments for low-income earners, and a Da Nang government-funded housing project for revolution contributors, with a scale of 209 apartments, is underway.

In addition, the construction of 3,359 out of the 7,525 apartments in 9 social capital-funded housing projects has been already completed. At present, the city is appealing for social capital for other 4,000 apartments.

As for affordable housing developments for workers, in the coming time, the city plans to push the completion of five social housing projects, implement one new project and select investors for 4 other projects to attract non-budget investment capital.

Also, the two student halls of residence on the western side of the city will be converted into social housing facilities, as well as the Trade Union institutional zone will be used to serve industrial park workers in Lien Chieu District.

Reporting by TRIEU TUNG - Translating by M.DUNG