Hebei province in North China plans to build more publicly-funded homes this year in an attempt to ensure the local population has access to a basic standard of housing, local newspaper Hebei Daily reported.

Hebei plans to build 200,000 publicly-funded homes and renovate 150,000 low quality houses located in run-down areas within the provincial territories.

The plan was released by the provincial authorities for housing and urban and rural construction. Of the new builds, 105,000 will be for public rental, with the remaining 95,000 serving as various forms of subsidized low-cost housing.

The Hebei government has called on local authorities to put aside more land, provide greater financial investment, and open more channels for financial support from both the central government and society to ensure the adequate provision of housing in the area.

The provincial government also requires all housing be built to a certain standard, to be well-equipped with facilities, and for projects to undergo close supervision at every stage.

By Guo Changdong and Chen Keyu