Are there any requirements regarding workplace location when applying to buy social housing?

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Ms. Nguyen Mai resides, lives, and works in an industrial zone in Ninh Binh province. She is married, and her and her husband's combined income does not exceed 40 million VND per month. She does not own any real estate in the province as per regulations.

The couple wished to apply for social housing in the industrial zone where she works. However, at the developer's sales office, she was told that her application was invalid because her husband has a labor contract and works in Phu Tho province, not Ninh Binh, resulting in the assessment that he "does not meet the eligibility requirements".

Ms. Mai asked, if she applies to buy social housing, is it true that her husband must have an employment contract and work in the province where the project is located (i.e., Ninh Binh province) for his application to be considered? Is this a regulation of each Department of Construction or a general regulation of the state?

Regarding this matter, the Department of Housing and Real Estate Market Management, Ministry of Construction , provides the following response:

Clause 1 of Article 78 of the Housing Law of 2023 stipulates:

"1. Individuals specified in Clauses 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Article 76 of this Law who purchase or lease-purchase social housing must meet the following conditions:

a) Housing conditions: To be eligible to purchase or lease-purchase social housing as stipulated in Clauses 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Article 76 of this Law, individuals must not own any housing in the province or centrally-governed city where the social housing project is located, must not have previously purchased or leased social housing, and must not have received any form of housing support in the province or centrally-governed city where the social housing project is located; or they may own housing in the province or centrally-governed city where the social housing project is located, but the average living space per person is lower than the minimum living space; in cases where individuals fall under the provisions of points b, c, d, e, f, and g of Clause 1, Article 45 of this Law, they must not be currently residing in public housing. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this point;

b) Income requirements: Individuals specified in Clauses 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Article 76 of this Law must meet the income requirements stipulated by the Government in order to purchase or lease-purchase social housing; individuals specified in Clause 4 of Article 76 of this Law must be classified as poor or near-poor households as defined by the Government.

Therefore, based on the above regulations, in order to purchase or rent-to-own social housing, eligible beneficiaries of social housing support policies must meet the housing and income requirements; the only requirement is that they must work in the province or city where the social housing project is located.

Source: https://vtv.vn/co-can-dieu-kien-ve-noi-lam-viec-khi-dang-ky-mua-nha-o-xa-hoi-100251212060734397.htm