At a Central Steering Committee meeting on 22/6, Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religions Dao Ngoc Dung reported that 38 provinces and cities have completed their targets. Eight more localities are expected to finish by the end of June, three more by the end of July, and 14 more in August.

The support structure includes 41,500 houses for people with meritorious service to the revolution; 77,800 houses from the national target program for sustainable poverty reduction; 8,600 houses for ethnic minorities; 125,800 houses from a program supporting poor and near-poor households; and 8,900 houses under other programs.

However, some localities, including Dak Lak, Phu Tho, Ha Giang, and Bac Kan, still have many houses yet to be started. Provinces such as Dien Bien, Son La, Quang Nam, Thanh Hoa, Cao Bang, Quang Binh, and Dak Nong have begun construction on a substantial number but haven't completed them.

Minister Dung urged all localities to start construction on all remaining houses before 30/6. The army and police will be mobilized to assist areas with slow progress.

The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religions collaborated with the Ministry of Finance to propose to the Prime Minister a reallocation of the remaining 5% (975 billion VND) of regular expenditure savings to support 28 disadvantaged localities. Currently, 46 provinces and cities have proactively allocated funds from local budgets to support house construction for people with meritorious service and relatives of martyrs. However, Minister Dung noted that some localities are still facing difficulties and need financial support soon.

Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religions Dao Ngoc Dung speaking on the morning of 22/6. Photo: Nhat Bac

Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religions Dao Ngoc Dung speaking on the morning of 22/6. Photo: Nhat Bac

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Do Duc Duy reported that as of 21/6, the housing program for poor and near-poor households has completed 85,800 houses, with 5,600 yet to begin and 12 localities not yet finished. Five provinces and cities (Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Ninh Thuan, and Gia Lai) have increased their housing construction targets, resulting in a need for over 200 billion VND in additional funding. This has been reported to the government for consideration of a mechanism to supplement resources.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen said the city completed the eradication of temporary and dilapidated housing for poor and near-poor households in 9/2024, a year ahead of schedule. Housing for families of wounded soldiers and martyrs will be completed before 27/7.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong reported that the city completed the eradication of temporary and dilapidated housing before 20/4, supporting 330 households with a total of 23.5 billion VND, and repairing 900 houses for poor and near-poor households. Currently, there are no temporary or dilapidated houses in the city. In the coming period, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on addressing approximately 40,000 houses along 398 canal routes to improve living conditions for residents.

Vice Chairman of the Ha Giang Provincial People's Committee Phan Huy Ngoc reported that the province still has about 500 temporary and dilapidated houses yet to be started due to heavy rain, a high risk of landslides, and some households lacking matching funds. It is expected that all remaining houses will be started in June and completed before 31/8.

Ha Giang also proposed that the Prime Minister provide an additional 85 billion VND from socialized sources to continue implementing two national target programs, with support levels of 60 million VND for each newly built house and 30 million VND for each repaired house.

Vu Tuan