The "National New-Type Urbanization Plan (2014-2020)" was officially released recently. Qi Ji, Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, when discussing housing issues in the urbanization process, stated that full coverage of housing security should be achieved for farmers settling in cities. That is, all farmer families that meet the housing security conditions of the city where they settle should be included in the housing security scope, but the forms of security are diverse.

 

　　The State Council Information Office held a press conference today. Xu Xianping, Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission; Huang Ming, Vice Minister of Public Security; Liu Kun, Vice Minister of Finance; Yang Zhiming, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security; Wang Shiyuan, Vice Minister of Land and Resources; and Qi Ji, Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, introduced the basic situation of the "National New-Type Urbanization Plan (2014-2020)" and answered questions from reporters.

 

　　In new-type urbanization, how can the housing problem of farmers entering cities be solved? In response, Qi Ji stated that this interpretation of the new-type urbanization plan involves housing issues: First, full coverage of housing security should be achieved for farmers settling in cities. That is, all farmer families that meet the housing security conditions of the city where they settle should be included in the housing security scope, but the forms of security are diverse. Second, basic public services should gradually achieve full coverage of the resident population. Whether or not they settle, as long as they work in the city for a long time, even if they have not obtained urban household registration, basic public services should also achieve full coverage for this group.

 

　　Regarding how to enable farmers to afford housing in cities with relatively high housing prices, Qi Ji stated that this matter can be discussed in two steps. Of course, some farmers who have become better off will enter cities, and there is no need to worry about them. The government should focus on those who settle in cities; if they do not have secure housing, stable employment will not last long. The government should solve the problem of providing them with a stable residence that meets their basic living needs, and then gradually promote their sustained stable employment, transforming farmers into citizens.

 

　　Qi Ji stated that in many large cities, the housing price issue is an insurmountable hurdle for farmers entering cities. Therefore, the new-type urbanization plan has a dedicated chapter called "Improving the Urban Housing System." In this system design, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has proposed several principles, namely combining market allocation of resources with government security, with the market playing the main role, to promote the formation of a basic balance in total volume. First, a basic balance in total volume; second, a basically reasonable structure; third, housing prices compatible with consumption capacity.

 

　　Qi Ji also pointed out that for some groups who are neither eligible for security housing nor able to afford commercial housing, it is proposed to build and supply policy-oriented commercial housing and develop shared-property housing, that is, implementing shared property rights for a certain period, with the government and homebuyers sharing property rights. Through such a model, the "sandwich class" who cannot afford market housing but do not meet housing security conditions can be addressed. Overall, it is necessary to ensure market stability and ensure that housing prices are balanced with consumers' payment capacity.

 

　　Qi Ji said: "If farmers entering cities cannot afford commercial housing, they can take the security housing route if they meet the conditions. If their income is relatively higher and they do not meet security conditions but cannot afford the market, the shared-property housing category may cover a considerable number of them. This policy not only covers migrant workers but also includes new employment populations who have moved to large cities from other places."