Leaders of the Bắc Giang Provincial Confederation of Labour and the Sơn Động District Party Committee present financial support for house construction to the family of Hồ Thị Nhóp in Trại Răng Hamlet, Cẩm Đàn Commune, Sơn Động District. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — As part of the 2025 programme to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated housing, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Bắc Giang Province announced that 763 out of a planned 811 homes have been started, reaching 94.1 per cent of the year’s target.

Beneficiaries of the programme include people with meritorious services, poor and near-poor households, as well as those supported under the national target for socio-economic development in ethnic areas and sustainable poverty reduction.

Since the beginning of 2025, the standing committee of the provincial Fatherland Front has instructed its district and commune-level branches to proactively advise local Party committees to issue guiding documents for implementing the programme.

Simultaneously, the Fatherland Front, at all levels, has worked closely with local authorities, relevant sectors and member organisations to promote the initiative, mobilise resources and address on-the-ground obstacles. Frequent inspections and supervision have also been carried out to ensure that support mechanisms and policies are implemented effectively.

One of the most significant hurdles has been legal issues related to land use rights. In cases where households lack land use certificates, the provincial People’s Committee directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to form task forces in coordination with localities. These teams are responsible for reviewing, classifying and identifying the causes of each individual case to assist residents in completing the necessary paperwork.

A typical example is Nguyễn Thị Huệ, a near-poor resident of Trung An Hamlet, Lan Mẫu Commune in Lục Nam District, who lived for years in a makeshift house on land deemed incompatible with planning regulations. The local Fatherland Front worked with other local agencies to persuade her younger brother, Nguyễn Văn Thắng, to share part of his land so she could build a proper house. With support from local authorities, the land was legally subdivided, allowing Huệ’s family to begin constructing a permanent home.

Despite impressive progress, nearly 50 approved households have yet to break ground. Furthermore, local authorities are processing numerous requests to adjust the beneficiary list, including 40 households requesting to withdraw and 31 new households seeking inclusion.

To ensure the province meets its goal of eliminating substandard housing by June 15, Đinh Đức Cảnh, chair of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee and vice head of the steering committee, said local authorities will intensify communication and mobilisation efforts to urge all approved households to begin construction as soon as possible.

The home of Lã Thị Cảnh’s family in Đồng Chu Hamlet, Yên Định Commune, Sơn Động District has been completed. — VNA/VNS Photo

Cảnh said: “The Steering Committee will require underperforming localities to conduct reviews and clarify the responsibilities of both collectives and individuals assigned to oversee the task. This will allow for timely adjustments to ensure the overall progress remains on track.”

At the same time, the Department of Construction is working with relevant agencies to re-examine cases involving people with meritorious services and poor households seeking removal or addition to the list. Adjustments must prevent overlap or duplication of beneficiaries, while the Department of Construction and district-level People’s Committees are tasked with ensuring the remaining houses are started on schedule.

With strong leadership, coordinated efforts across all levels of government and dedicated work at the grassroots level, Bắc Giang remains committed to fulfilling its goal of eliminating all makeshift and dilapidated housing by June. This initiative is expected to significantly improve living conditions and advance the province’s broader social welfare objectives. — VNS