VietNamNet Bridge – The Tay Nguyen (Central Highland) province of Lam Dong has scored a national first in completing a housing programme for the poor under Government Decision 167.

The province had supported the building of 7,372 concrete houses for the poor by the end of last year, one year ahead of the Government schedule.

Each of the houses has an area of 35-40sq.m and cost a minimum of VND25 million (US$1,300). Of this VND7.7 million is taken from the Government budget, the provincial budget provides VND2.3 million, the Viet Nam Bank for Social Policy lends VND8 million and the house owner covers the rest.

Lo Mu Ka Srang, a poor Co Ho ethic minority resident of Da Nghit Village in Lac Duong District's Xa Lat Commune, said: "My parents died early. I am the eldest child, so I have to bring up my two younger siblings who are now studying in universities in Da Lat City and HCM City. Providing their food and study has been hard work for me over the past many years and the condition of our house had deteriorated."

With capital support from the central and provincial governments and the help of local departments, sectors and other villagers, she has been able to build a concrete house for her and two younger siblings.

Similarly, elderly couple K'Long Ha Bong and his wife in Da Nghit Village now live in a concrete house built under the programme with the help from villagers who contributed their labour and some building materials.

"We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Party, the State and the support of villagers," said Bong.

Nguyen Xuan Tien, deputy secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said it was not just about building a house, but providing a platform for self-reliance.

"Having a concrete house will create an initial basis for the poor to escape poverty quickly and stabilise their lives," he said.

The province would continue to instruct departments and sectors and mobilise all sources to boost the process of eliminating poverty in a sustainable way, Tien said.

Under the programme, the Government has supported the province's poor households with a total of VND37 billion, while the provincial budget has contributed VND17 billion.

More than 22 per cent of the province's 1.2 million are ethnic minority people and most of them live on farming.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News