The National Assembly late last week discussed a draft Resolution on piloting policies for social housing, with many deputies noting that social housing prices remain high compared to people’s income levels.

Ta Van Ha, a National Assembly deputy from Quang Nam, Vice Chair of the Committee on Culture and Social Affairs, said that with the average price of VND25 million/sq m, it is very difficult for those earning under VND15 million/month to afford social housing. “Even rental prices at VND6 million/month are high for those in need of social housing, who are mostly young, low-income workers with unstable jobs.”

Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran from Binh Duong province requested two minutes at the National Assembly session to “share workers’ concerns”. She noted that millions of low-income workers toil day and night in industrial zones and export processing zones across the country, with the simple hope of living, working, starting a family, and owning a small home to settle down, raise children, and care for their parents.

“But this is a distant dream due to a harsh reality: wages remain stagnant while housing and consumer prices keep rising,” she said.

She pointed out that workers earning around VND10 million per month do not dare dream of a home because they struggle to survive food price hikes, education, rent, and other living costs.

“Social housing prices remain far beyond workers’ means, and the criteria, processes, standards, and procedures are not designed for low-income workers, causing many to register for social housing but ultimately give up,” she added.

Floor price for social housing

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said the draft resolution focuses on two groups: beneficiaries (funds, conditions, purchase/rental prices) and investors (procedures and project implementation processes).

Under current regulations, it can take up to 300 days to complete procedures for selecting investors through bidding. The draft resolution simplifies regulations to significantly reduce the time for administrative formalities.

Responding to the proposal to set up floor prices for social housing, the Minister said this is not feasible due to varying material costs in different regions. Instead, after the housing design is finalized, local departments of Construction and Finance will approve the estimated price. He also stressed that social housing prices can only exceed the estimated price by a maximum of 10 percent.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc said he hopes the national housing fund will increase the number of social housing and affordable homes for low-income individuals and young people without housing.

Tam An