Low-Income Housing in China--Recent Developments & Issues

Since the housing reform in 1978, the Chinese housing market has expanded at an astronomical pace with current market value of $1 trillion, making it the largest housing market in the world. Underneath the impressive growth of... [ view full abstract ]

Since the housing reform in 1978, the Chinese housing market has expanded at an astronomical pace with current market value of $1 trillion, making it the largest housing market in the world. Underneath the impressive growth of the market, the problem of low-income households – including recent college graduates and rural migrant workers – not being able to afford urban housing emerged. Given China’s ongoing urbanization plan of having 60% of population in cities, housing inequality arising from the affordability crisis can be further widened, consequently disrupting social stability the Chinese government strives to safeguard at all costs. To solve this affordability crisis, policymakers turned to low-income housing that government either subsidizes purchasing or provides directly to low-income households. This descriptive presentation will deliver following information on China’s low-income housing: 1) Definition and types of low-income housing. 2) Demographics of low-income housing residents. 3) Recent policies implemented. 4) Field study - housing inequality in Beijing.