CRI听力：China Widens Coverage of Low-Rent Housing

The Chinese government says an improved low-rent housing system will gradually cover low-income urban families, in addition to those categorized as very poor.

The new policy is expected to benefit 10 million low-income urban families with housing difficulties. Relatively developed cities are required to have the policy in place by the end of next year.

Minister of Construction, Wang Guangtao, says the policy is crucial for those experiencing difficulties in finding suitable housing.

''The wider coverage will improve the housing situation of low-income people, especially migrant workers and those who have difficulty finding housing in the city.''

The policy also specifies that funding for low-rent housing provisions should be brought under the control of the annual central fiscal budget, and that land should be appropriated for construction.

The central government will also grant special financial support to central and western regions for the development of low-rent housing.

Generally, low-rent apartments in the country are either built or commissioned by the government and provided to poor urban families at discounted rates.