Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tran Nam said demand for low-income housing in Ha Noi was among the highest in the country. He said that, for example, just one in every two applications to buy a low-income apartment in the CT1 Ngo Thi Nham housing project in Ha Noi was accepted. The ratio for the follow-up project would be just one in three, he added.

Due to heavy initial demand, the local people's committee in March tightened the eligibility requirements for those seeking to buy low-cost apartments. Among the new rules, only applicants from those with an inner city residence book would be considered.

A number of low-income residential projects in the outlying districts of Ha Noi have been completed. However, current rules meant most would-be purchases are ineligible, Nam said, adding that many applicants' family residence books were for rural districts, paradoxically, where many of the new projects were situated.

He cited the example of a housing project in Gia Lam District launched by Viglacera. More than 1,000 apartments have been currently on the market but could not be sold, despite high demand.

The deputy minister has asked the People's Committee to accept applications from those whose permanent residence or long-time temporary residence has been in Ha Noi – provided they have been working and paying social security for at least one year prior to their application.
Vietnam News