China to extend housing aid

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-18-2007 08:54

The Minister of Construction says the government will help thirty million people in urban areas whose living space is under ten square meters. Wang Guangtao was speaking on the sidelines of the 17th Party Congress.

Many people are concerned about housing in China and the issue has drawn wide media attention during the Party Congress. The Construction Minister says the time has come to address the issue.

Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao said, "The average living space in China is nearly thirty square meters per person. But there are still more than thirty million people whose living space is under ten square meters. Helping these residents have larger houses is an important and difficult task for governments at various levels."

Combining the efforts and resources of different ministries is essential to guarantee proper housing for all.

Wang Guangtao said, "The Ministry of Land and Resources has promised to guarantee land supply for building low rent and affordable houses. The Ministry of Construction is making preferential policies for people who are qualified to rent or buy these government-subsidized houses."

Wang said that the Ministry of Construction will soon establish a department to secure housing. The branch will help settle the problem of housing for no salary or low income families. According to a timetable set by the State Council, by the end of this year, all urban residents entitled to basic living allowances must be provided with low rent houses. Next year, all counties will be covered. And by 2010, houses for all low income families should be guaranteed.

Editor:Zhang Ning