The directive is part of a government plan to implement conclusions from General Secretary and President To Lam concerning social housing and future housing development strategies.
Under the plan, the prime minister instructed ministries, sectors, and localities to review land funds and finalize housing master plans, integrating them with technical infrastructure, essential social services, education, healthcare, and cultural facilities.
A key task within this directive is the proactive clearance and preparation of clear land funds for rental housing development.
There is a significant demand for rental housing among workers in industrial zones, yet the supply of affordable, long-term housing remains insufficient in areas such as Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, and Hung Yen.
For instance, Hai Phong, home to over 370,000 industrial zone workers, anticipates a need for about 33,000 social and rental housing units over the next 4 years.
While the locality has surpassed its social housing target for the 2021-2025 period with 16,679 units completed, only 4,256 units are currently planned for rental acquisition, addressing just over 12% of the total demand.
Earlier, General Secretary and President To Lam, along with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, instructed localities to accelerate the development of rental housing, identifying it as a priority segment until 2030.
In its implementation plan, the government affirmed that the right to legal housing is a fundamental citizen's right, and access to safe, affordable housing reflects social progress. The state's housing development policies aim to ensure all citizens have a place to live.
The government called for a significant shift in housing development philosophy. Beyond homes for sale, Vietnam must prioritize rental housing, particularly apartment complexes for rent in major urban centers, industrial parks, economic zones, key growth regions, and along important economic corridors.
Following this direction, rental housing is designated as a strategic, long-term segment intended to serve a broad population, including workers, students, public servants, and armed forces personnel.
The government also emphasized developing housing through a guided market mechanism with effective state management. The state will not subsidize housing entirely nor allow the market to self-regulate completely. Instead, its role is to facilitate development by establishing institutions, policies, and planning, thereby creating conditions for businesses to invest and operate with reasonable profits, ensuring citizens can access affordable housing.
Beyond preparing clear land funds, the government instructed ministries and sectors to research and develop appropriate land, credit, financial, and tax policies. These measures aim to rapidly expand the affordable rental housing market and encourage private sector investment. The Ministry of Construction is currently exploring preferential land and financial mechanisms to support this housing segment.
The government also mandated simplifying housing development procedures through a "one-stop, single-point of contact, standardized process." This includes streamlining investment, planning, land allocation, construction permitting, and access to preferential credit, with clear deadlines and accountability.
Furthermore, ministries and sectors are tasked with stringent oversight of beneficiaries of preferential housing policies. This ensures transparency and prevents policy exploitation and housing speculation.
Under the plan, ministries and sectors will research and integrate these new policies into the revised Housing Law and revised Real Estate Business Law. These legislative amendments are expected to be presented to the National Assembly for consideration during its October session this year.
Phuong Dung
