Closer to a home

Amidst the myriad worries of urban workers struggling to make ends meet, owning a home remains a difficult dream to realize. Therefore, when the Ministry of Construction proposed amendments and additions to Decree No. 100/2024/ND-CP on the development and management of social housing, many followed with the hope that the door to secure housing would open wider.

The Dai Thang Residential Area (Homie City) social housing project in Van Xuan ward provides housing opportunities for approximately 800 workers and low-income earners. (Photo: Provided)

The first adjustment, and one most likely to have a social impact, is to raise the income ceiling for eligibility to buy or rent-to-own social housing. According to the draft, the maximum income will be raised to 20 million VND/month for individuals, 40 million VND/month for married couples; single parents raising children will be considered up to 30 million VND/month.

This is a timely change, appropriate to the current income level. In reality, many workers with average incomes of around 15-20 million VND/month still have to live in cramped rented rooms because they cannot afford commercial housing, nor are they "poor" enough to qualify for social housing.

This adjustment reflects a shift in the policymakers' approach. Instead of rigidly classifying people as "poor" or "rich," the draft aims for an assessment based on actual capacity and ability to pay. Hardworking, middle-income but precarious laborers are the group that needs support to achieve their dream of owning a home.

A long-standing bottleneck is the income verification procedure, especially for self-employed individuals, small business owners, those engaged in traditional crafts, or seasonal workers. The new draft proposes transferring the authority to verify income conditions from the commune-level People's Committee to the commune-level police, based on the National Population Database.

If implemented rigorously, this mechanism would remove one of the biggest barriers, as people would no longer have to prove their circumstances with paper applications, but would rely on digitized data. This is a fairer and more transparent approach.

Another highly appreciated adjustment is the reduction of interest rates on loans for purchasing or renting social housing from 6.6% to 5.4% per year, along with the application of preferential interest rates for borrowers building new homes or renovating existing ones. In the context of rising living costs and limited income, each percentage point reduction in interest rates opens another door for workers. This policy not only helps them afford to buy a home but also helps them retain their property throughout the long-term repayment period.

It can be said that the Ministry of Construction 's proposals this time are humane and practical. It's not simply a matter of amending a decree; it's also a step towards adjusting the approach to beneficiaries, placing people at the center and bringing policies closer to real life. Because for urban workers, the biggest dream is to have a safe and sturdy roof over their heads, so that after a hard day's work, they can turn off the lights and sleep peacefully.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/tin-moi/202509/gan-hon-mot-mai-am-be1354e/