China speeds up affordable housing construction to set low-income people at ease

Xie Yun, a 24-year-old new graduate, felt excited when he opened the door of the 50-square-meter apartment he rented in Changzhou city of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Starting work in a computer company in July, Xie is one of the lucky few who enjoyed lower rents offered as part of the local government's affordable housing program. He pays 4.5 yuan per square meter for one month, around 10 percent of his monthly income.

Also, the apartment is equipped with an air conditioner, a TV set and automatic drying racks.

"I'm quite satisfied, and I prefer to rent such an apartment rather than buy one," said Xie.

Xie's home is one of 133 small-sized public-rent apartments purchased by the Changzhou government and rented to low-income families and the newly employed. Monthly rents varied from 3.5 yuan to 4.5 yuan per square meter, about 30 percent of the average price in Changzhou.

In the city's southern section, migrant workers pay even lower costs.

"I only need to pay one yuan per day for renting a bed in the dormitory-like apartment, sharing a balcony and a toilet with eight people," said Chen Ling, an 18-year-old worker in an electronic firm in Changzhou.

The 260,000-square-meter residential community provides 5,000 migrant workers with basic living facilities, including a supermarket, shopping mall, bank, Internet bar and dining hall.

The Changzhou government has so far built as well as bought 10,500 units of public-rent housing, and offered 11,400 units of low-rent homes to migrant workers.


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