Kon Tum completes substandard housing eradication two months ahead of schedule

The Central Highlands province of Kon Tum has completed the construction and repair of 2,740 houses for disadvantaged families, fulfilling its target two months earlier than the deadline set by the Prime Minister, local authorities announced on June 24.

At a review conference, the provincial steering committee for the eradication of temporary and dilapidated houses reported that the project covered both new builds (2,220 homes) and repairs (520 homes), prioritising families with meritorious service, the poor and near-poor, and other vulnerable households.

However, a recent re-assessment revealed an additional 1,312 households in need of support, including 1,034 requiring new homes and 278 needing repairs, das a result of storms and natural disasters. The province currently lacks sufficient funds to begin work on these newly identified homes.

Kon Tum aims to eliminate all substandard housing by October 31. Authorities will continue to review and prioritise support for households in serious hardship, especially those who rendered service to the nation, the poor, and victims of Agent Orange, while ensuring transparency and preventing policy abuse.

The province has proposed using over 13 billion VND (496,990 USD) (saved from its 2024 budget) to support newly identified households and has requested central funding for homes for revolutionary contributors and martyr families.

To date, over 194 billion VND has been mobilised for the programme, including 59 billion VND from central sources, more than 102 billion VND from local donations and social contributions, and 5.2 billion VND earmarked for families with meritorious service. Local communities also contributed over 182,000 workdays to support construction efforts./.