The Viglacera corporation on June 5 kicked off construction on a social housing project in the Dang Xa New Urban Area in Hanoi ’s suburban district of Gia Lam.

The project, covering 6.2 hectares, is expected to cost roughly 850 billion VND (40.8 million USD). Upon completion in the second quarter of 2015, it will provide 2,500 affordable flats between 30 and 70 square metres each at an estimated selling price of under 9 million VND per sq.m, helping meet the housing demand for 6,400 residents.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao urged investors to ensure the project is implemented on schedule.

He also urged Gia Lam authorities to support investors in implementing the project and asked the Ministry of Construction and banks to simplify administrative procedures to facilitate the progress of the work.

He announced that from many different sources, Hanoi has constructed more than 2,000 apartments for local low-income people. More than 10,000 workers have been provided accommodation and over 24,000 sq.m of social housing have been offered to students.

Currently, there are 18 housing projects registered to be converted from commercial to social housing and four projects have been approved by the city authorities.-VNA