Social housing project in Nếnh Town new urban area is developed in Việt Yên District by a joint venture between Saigon - Hải Phòng Industrial Park JSC and EVERGREEN Bắc Giang Investment and Sustainable Development JSC. — VNS Photo

BẮC GIANG — Bắc Giang Province will focus on developing social housing for workers to support workers in industrial zones and clusters, as stated by Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Phan Thế Tuấn. 

By 2025, Bắc Giang is committed to providing housing for approximately 80 percent of beneficiaries under the social housing policy, with a specific emphasis on workers employed in industrial zones and clusters.

The province continues administrative reform, streamlining unnecessary procedures in construction, land, environment, fire prevention and fighting. These eforts aim to create favourable conditions for the development of social housing projects catering for the need of workers.

Along with that, Bắc Giang publicises information about the planning and implementation progress of urban area projects having social housing for workers, and other housing projects. The authorities also regularly inspect and supervise the construction of ongoing projects to ensure the quality of those projects.

Simultaneously, the province remains committed to attracting investors for the development of additional social housing projects for workers.

Tuấn emphasised that municipal and district authorities will actively facilitate site clearance for social housing projects aimed at workers and implement detailed planning for projects outlined in the approved scheme for worker housing development.

Investors with construction licenses are urged to accelerate project construction on the designated land. Additionally, they are required to enhance project management, take responsibility for ensuring project quality, and provide comprehensive and accurate information about the projects.

Priotising the development of social housing for workers, the People's Committee of Bắc Giang has mandated comprehensive planning of urban areas and industrial parks. These plans must allocate sufficient land resources for the construction of social housing areas for workers.

In industrial - urban - service areas, a minimum of 35 per cent of the total land area is designated for the construction of social housing buildings, addressing the housing needs for workers in those areas. 

Bắc Giang gives priority for the planning of social housing projects in close proximity to industrial parks and clusters. 

Currently, the province has 12 social housing projects for workers that are under construction or in phase of feasibility study reports and compensation for site clearance. They have a total land use of 76.73 hectares with total investment of about VNĐ19.8 billion (US$825 million), providing housing solutions for 94,644 workers.

In Bắc Giang City, enterprises have invested to build about 410 accommodation rooms within industrial clusters, especially for their workers. Simultaneously, individuals have independently built structures in the close proximity, providing 2,109 rooms available for rent by workers. 

It is forecast that by 2025, the city will have seven industrial clusters under operation, accomodating about 1,900 people. Approximately 1,100 workers within this workforce are anticipated to require housing. 

In the meantime, the currently housing inventory in Bắc Giang City has a capacity to accommodate more than 6,000 people, so the supply ensures to meet the housing demand of workers until 2025.

Nguyễn Ngọc Sơn, Deputy Director of Bắc Giang Department of Construction, said: "Bắc Giang is dedicated to addressing limitations during the implementation of developing social housing for workers until 2025, with a vision to 2030, with a focus on achieving the overall target of constructing 33,300 social housing units by 2025 and an additional 41,700 units in the 2026-30 period. Importantly, not only workers but also low-income people can buy social housing in these projects."

The department is currently formulating proposals to modify and enhance mechanisms and policies related to social housing development, he said. — VNS