Hai Phong widens access to social housing

Beginning August 1, Hai Phong officially adopted a 1.16 income adjustment coefficient when determining eligibility for purchasing or lease-purchasing social housing. Under the new policy, single applicants with an average monthly net income of no more than VND 29 million and households with a combined monthly income of no more than VND 58 million are eligible for consideration.

The city has also proposed that the Central bodies allow a broader group of buyers to purchase social housing developed under the program to rebuild 177 aging apartment buildings.

Taken together, these two developments demonstrate Hai Phong's determination to remove long-standing obstacles to social housing development, with the goal of not only building more homes but also enabling more residents to access them.

In recent years, Hai Phong has consistently ranked among Vietnam's fastest-growing localities. The continued expansion of industrial parks, economic zones, logistics centers, and seaports has attracted a growing number of businesses and workers to live and work in the city.

This rapid growth has also led to increasing demand for housing, particularly affordable homes for workers, laborers, and young public employees.

In practice, the purpose of social housing is not simply to provide support for low-income groups at all costs. More importantly, it is intended to help people with genuine housing needs who are not yet able to afford homes in the commercial housing market.

Notably, the revised eligibility criteria come as Hai Phong is implementing its program to renovate and rebuild 177 aging apartment buildings - one of the country's largest urban renewal initiatives.

The program is designed not only to ensure the safety of tens of thousands of households living in deteriorating buildings but also to revitalize many central areas, creating a more modern and civilized city.

A notable aspect of Hai Phong's approach is that it has focused not only on improving policy mechanisms but also on expanding housing supply. In the first six months of 2026, the city completed 1,383 social housing units, nearly 400 more than originally planned. Hai Phong aims to complete more than 7,000 social housing units in 2026, reinforcing its position as one of Vietnam's leading localities in social housing development.

For Hai Phong, developing social housing is not only a matter of social welfare but also a strategy to strengthen competitiveness and sustain annual economic growth of at least 13%. When workers have stable housing, businesses benefit from a more reliable workforce. A stable workforce, in turn, provides stronger momentum for the city's continued growth.

The adjustment of income thresholds, the proposal to expand eligibility for purchasing social housing in redevelopment projects involving aging apartment buildings, and the accelerated expansion of housing supply all demonstrate that Hai Phong is shifting from a quantity-driven approach to one that places people at the center of housing development.

As barriers to access are gradually removed, the housing stock is used more effectively, and more workers are able to realize their dream of homeownership, the city will be better positioned to build a modern, worth-living, and sustainable urban future.

BAO NAM