(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-25 07:10

A government for the people should always be concerned about the woes of those at the bottom of the society.

We are pleased to see that our cabinet, the State Council, is taking active measures to solve housing problems for low-income city dwellers.

Special coverage: Housing in China Related readings: A multi-layer housing system needed  Housing loans discouraged to curb raging property prices  Nation to set up new body for public housing  State Council issues affordable housing guidelines

It held a working conference yesterday to break down the tasks for providing affordable houses to urban poor with government subsidies.

The two-step ambitious plan is to cover all low-income urban families with the low-rent housing system by 2010, benefiting about 10 million people.

Indeed, the price of commercial houses has skyrocketed so that even middle-income families are feeling the pinch, not to mention those who just barely make ends meet, especially in urban areas where the cost of living has soared.

According to statistics released by the National Development and Reform Commission last week, property prices in the country's 70 large and medium-sized cities rose by 7.5 percent year-on-year last month, the highest since 2006.

Rising housing prices have prompted the State Council to issue a series of counter measures since 2005.

The latest move is expected to usher in a more improved housing security system nationwide, guaranteeing the basic needs for housing for the poor.

Catering to the housing needs of low-income people is not only an issue of social equity but also attests to the government's capability to build a harmonious society for all.

Given that China's booming economy, people's rising incomes and excessive liquidity will keep housing demand strong in the second half of the year, the government's resolve will also contribute to easing pricing pressure .

For one thing, more State-own land will be appropriated for building cheaper and moderate-sized dwellings instead of luxury and large-sized commercial houses. The mushrooming of such high-cost and expensive houses has been one factor driving up real estate prices nationwide.

To facilitate the work, a special department under the Ministry of Construction is expected to be set up soon. Its main task will be ensuring an adequate supply of public housing.

Right now, about 291 large and medium-sized cities have launched low-rent housing schemes. These cities will work to expand the umbrella for all its poor residents.

Since low-rent houses are still unavailable in more than 60 cities, the local governments concerned are facing a demanding task to increase government investment by a big margin and use land in a more efficient way in order to meet the central government's requirement.

(China Daily 08/25/2007 page4)