Reviewing and Accelerating the Progress of Social Housing Projects in the Province

On the afternoon of May 11, Mr. Vu Viet Van—Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee—presided over a conference to hear reports from the Department of Construction and relevant agencies regarding water supply issues and social housing projects across the province.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Vu Viet Van delivers a keynote speech at the conference.

At the meeting, the Department of Construction reported on the identification of the recipient for post-investment assets—specifically the urban clean water supply infrastructure—under the Ben Got Ward Auction Area Infrastructure Project in Viet Tri City. Although the infrastructure project is complete and ready for use, no designated unit has been identified to take over the clean water system, which has hindered final accounts settlement and project operation.

Based on legal reviews and practical conditions, the Department of Construction proposed that the Provincial People’s Committee assign the Phu Tho Water Supply Joint Stock Company to receive, manage, and operate the project’s water system. This is considered a highly feasible plan as the area falls within the company’s existing service network. Selecting this option will ensure the synchronicity of the urban water supply system, prevent the waste of public assets, and facilitate the completion of final accounts to put the facility into effective use promptly.

Also within the framework of the conference, the Department of Construction reported on the results and plans for approving investment policies and commencing social housing projects in the province. Accordingly, the total number of social housing units assigned for completion in the 2025–2030 period is 62,853 units; of these, 2,353 units were completed in 2025.

In 2026, it is expected that 10 social housing projects with a total of 7,314 apartments will break ground to fulfill assigned targets, concentrating in Viet Tri, Thanh Mieu, Van Phu, Phuc Yen, Hoa Binh wards, and other localities.

Currently, the province has assigned investors to 9 social housing projects totaling 4,938 apartments. Among these, 5 projects commenced construction in 2025, one broke ground in the first quarter of 2026, and three are finalizing planning and licensing procedures, with expected commencement in the second and third quarters of 2026. Delegates also heard a review report on urban area and housing projects that reserve a 20% land fund for social housing in Phu Tho province. Accordingly, the province currently has 60 such projects.

While several projects have already started construction, many others are in the process of finalizing investment procedures and site clearance. Notably, 22 projects have expired investment periods and are facing obstacles regarding extension procedures and investment policy adjustments.

At the conference, leaders from various departments and agencies reported on key issues and discussed solutions to remove bottlenecks in project implementation across the province.

In his concluding remarks, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Vu Viet Van emphasized that social housing development is a vital task to ensure social security and meet the housing needs of low-income earners, factory workers, and laborers.

He requested the Department of Construction to urgently review and accurately determine the remaining number of units required to meet the 2026 targets, thereby establishing a specific and feasible roadmap. Furthermore, the Department must proactively advise on solutions to attract more investors to social housing development in the province.

For ongoing projects, the Vice Chairman urged departments and localities to focus on resolving difficulties following the principle of ’settling straightforward issues first, then gradually tackling more complex matters.' In particular, special attention must be paid to compensation, site clearance, land handover procedures, and ensuring projects are eligible to break ground as scheduled."

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Vu Viet Van requested departments, agencies, and localities to drastically accelerate the progress of urban area and housing projects that have allocated a 20% land fund for social housing development.

He assigned relevant units and investors to focus on resolving bottlenecks in compensation and site clearance, finalizing legal procedures, and commencing the construction of social housing on the 20% land fund as scheduled.

The Department of Finance was tasked to lead working sessions with investors of expired projects to provide guidance on extensions and investment policy adjustments. Furthermore, the Department must propose handling measures for cases of delayed implementation or where investors lack the necessary capacity to execute the project.

Regarding the identification of the recipient for the clean water supply system under the Ben Got Ward Auction Area Infrastructure Project in Viet Tri City, the Vice Chairman assigned the Department of Finance to preside and coordinate with the Department of Construction and related agencies. They are to continue researching and advising on an appropriate handling plan that ensures legal compliance, maximizes the efficiency of public assets, and allows the facility to be put into operation and serve the public promptly.

Duc Anh