Social housing policy needs to target low-income people with real needs - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

View of a social housing project in Buon Ma Thuot city. (Photo: HOAI BAO)

“Please do not let the dream of having a home for workers remain unfulfilled.”

At the discussion session on the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for social housing development, delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran ( Binh Duong ) spoke on behalf of millions of low-income workers and laborers to the National Assembly.

According to Ms. Tran, with an income of just over or under 10 million VND per month, workers have to struggle to cover essential expenses, so access to housing - including social housing - is still out of reach even though the Housing Law has been issued and many policies to support social housing have been implemented.

The price, despite being called “social,” is still beyond the ability to pay; the approval process is far from reality; many people want to register but have to give up because they do not meet the requirements or do not dare to take on more debt in their already difficult lives, the delegate said.

Delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran (Binh Duong). (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

“I would like to speak on behalf of low-income workers who dream of having a small house to settle down, work with peace of mind, raise children and take care of their parents. Even though it is simple, it is a dream,” the female delegate emotionally shared.

Delegate Tran suggested that the National Assembly consider more practical support mechanisms such as subsidies and price compensation from the state budget or the National Housing Development Fund, ensuring rental and hire-purchase prices close to the actual income of workers; at the same time, it is necessary to be open and transparent in the approval process so that workers have fair opportunities to access social housing.

“Do not let social housing areas be abandoned and degraded, causing regret and longing for many workers. Please do not let the dream of having a home for workers remain an unfulfilled dream,” delegate Tran emphasized, affirming that housing for workers is not only a matter of personal welfare, but also a practical driving force for sustainable national development.

Delegate Tran Quoc Tuan (Tra Vinh). (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

Delegate Tran Quoc Tuan ( Tra Vinh ). (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

Sharing the same view, delegate Tran Quoc Tuan (Tra Vinh) emphasized that social housing must reach the right people in real need.

He said that the demand for social housing is currently very high, especially in urban areas and industrial zones. However, the supply is very limited and unattractive to investors, and most of all, people with real needs have difficulty accessing suitable products.

Mr. Tuan said that the current social housing development policy still lacks a “core piece” - that is, giving special priority to people with real needs. According to the delegate, if low-income people and workers are not guaranteed access to suitable products, the policy will have difficulty coming into effect.

Therefore, Mr. Tuan recommended designing an additional mechanism to select the right beneficiaries to create real traction for the social housing market.

It is necessary to clearly distinguish the social and commercial nature of social housing projects.

Sharing with reporters on the sidelines of the National Assembly, delegate Tran Van Lam (Bac Giang delegation) emphasized that the current social housing development policy has many incentives in terms of capital, land and investment mechanisms, however, the actual effectiveness has not yet met expectations. Many localities have not been able to provide suitable social housing products for low-income people, while the housing needs of the people are still very large.

Delegate Tran Van Lam (Bac Giang) shared with reporters in the hallway of the National Assembly. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

According to the delegate, the social and commercial nature of social housing construction is still not really specific and clear. In fact, many housing areas were initially built to serve the people according to the policy of developing social housing, but after a while, these housing areas turned into commercial housing.

"This invisibly puts those who have a real need for housing at a disadvantage and makes it difficult for them to settle down. People with low incomes will find it difficult to buy and own a house, while another group of people take advantage of policies to make a profit," Mr. Lam frankly admitted.

From there, delegates suggested that it is necessary to clarify the boundary between social and commercial nature in social housing development. According to Mr. Lam, with the goal of social security, social housing should only be for low-income people who have a real need for stable housing.

To ensure effectiveness, we should focus on developing a social housing rental model with reasonable prices. After a period of accumulation, social housing tenants can improve their economic conditions to buy commercial housing and return the social housing they are renting for the next people to rent and live in, creating a sustainable support cycle.

“Like this, low-income people with the help of the State will gradually approach to owning their own house,” Mr. Lam explained.

In addition, delegates also recommended diversifying housing segments so that people can choose according to their financial capabilities. The role of the State at this time is to develop plans and provide land funds; construction investment can be assigned to businesses.

From the above practices, Mr. Lam suggested that it is necessary to promptly review and adjust social housing policies to move in the right direction, ensuring fairness, efficiency and serving the fundamental interests of the people.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chinh-sach-nha-o-xa-hoi-can-huong-den-nguoi-thu-nhap-thap-co-nhu-cau-thuc-su-5048199.html