For many years, the segment of houses with prices suitable for low-income people has almost disappeared in major cities. When supply is scarce, commercial apartment prices continuously remain high. If social housing is implemented synchronously, pressure on the commercial segment may be reduced, limiting chain price increases.
At the macro level, housing for workers and low-income people is also a condition to retain human resources. A locality that wants to attract investment and develop sustainable industry cannot ignore the housing of workers.
It can be said that each completed social housing apartment not only solves personal needs but also contributes to social stability. However, opportunity does not mean that all problems have been resolved.
First of all, the selling price problem. The level of 25-29 million VND/m2 at some new projects shows that land, material, and labor costs all increase. If there is no strict control mechanism, social housing is at risk of "approaching" commercial housing, making it difficult for low-income groups to access.
The second is the story of object transparency. Reality has recorded the situation of "buying diplomatic quotas", selling at a price difference against regulations. If the appraisal stage is not strict, social housing can be distorted into a speculative channel, distorting policies.
Third is the quality of the project. Many people are still concerned that social housing means low quality. This is not in principle, but if investors cut costs uncontrollably, the consequences will fall on the shoulders of buyers. Low-income people already have to calculate every penny, unable to bear additional repair costs because the project is degraded.
Along with the efforts to remove obstacles of the Government and ministries, branches, and localities still need more breakthrough solutions for the social housing issue.
At the end of February last year, when working with the Central Policy and Strategy Committee on economic growth goals, General Secretary To Lam mentioned the establishment of a "National Housing Fund" to develop affordable housing in major cities, which is a solution to promote urban areas to become a driving force for national growth.
This direction was then realized by the Government issuing Decree 302/2025 (November 2025) establishing the National Housing Fund - an off-budget financial fund with legal status, to invest in social housing development, increase supply and contribute to stabilizing the real estate market. The Fund operates at two levels: Central managed by the Ministry of Construction, and locally operated by the Provincial People's Committee.
It is expected to reverse the situation of housing supply and demand, which has been assymmetrical for many years. However, for many reasons, up to this point, the National Housing Fund has not been launched.
If operated effectively, the fund will not only help expand the source of affordable housing but also strengthen people's trust in social security policies. But if delayed, lacking transparency or lack of synchronization, this opportunity is unlikely to become a reality.
People, especially workers, long for the National Housing Fund soon because for them, every day that passes is a day they have to continue living in cramped, precarious rented rooms. This is something that we cannot underestimate if we consider social security as the focus of development.
