Source: CCTV.com

03-08-2008 12:08

Special Report:   2008 NPC & CPPCC sessions

China's Minister of Construction says the government is helping low-income families solve their housing problems by accelerating the implementation of a low-rent housing program.

Wang Guangtao, Minister of Construction, said, "Premier Wen Jiabao said in his report to the first session of the 11th National People's Congress that China plans to earmark 6.8 billion Yuan in its 2008 budget to build low-rent houses for the urban low income families. This is a clear signal to the people that China has listed the priorities for the country's reform on housing. And the Premier also urged local governments to increase funding in this area. This means the program will be quickened. The low-rent housing program was set up in many areas in China last year. And to implement the program means not only providing subsidies to low-income residents but also to relocate them to low-rent housing. Our work this year will focus on the following three parts. Firstly, we will set up the low-rent housing program in areas above the county level by the end of 2008. Secondly, the program will gradually cover a larger range of low-income families. Thirdly, we will work on plans to ease the housing difficulties of low-income families. And to achieve the goals, we will continue to accept supervision from the public,the NPC and relevant authorities. The government will offer preferential policies to low-income families to help solve their housing problems. And for high-income families, their housing demand will be met largely through the market.

 

Editor:Zhang Pengfei