ABSTRACT

China’s housing shortage is officially attributed to various factors, including population growth and past emphasis on capital construction. Also cited is the “irrational housing system”--apparently a reference to the system of low, subsidized rents. “The low rents collected under the present system are not enough even to cover maintenance and management fees, let alone build new houses.” Although the housing shortage in major cities like Shanghai is well known, remote regions also suffer from shortages. There are malpractices, such as people occupying houses larger than they are entitled to, or cadres enjoying two homes. There has also been corruption in housing assignments. Again, Inner Mongolia seems to be a prime example. In November 1983 the head of the regional government, Bu He, made what was described as an “important speech” on the subject.