The Da Nang Department of Construction has unveiled a significant proposal to adjust rental prices for state-owned social housing, with some rates projected to increase by over seven times the current levels. Aimed at ensuring "correct and sufficient" calculations for building maintenance and reducing the burden on the city budget, the plan introduces a five-year roadmap (2026–2030) to mitigate the immediate financial shock for low-income tenants. While some areas will see modest changes, aging complexes and prime locations will undergo substantial price corrections to align with modern operational costs.
The Necessity of Adjustment: "Correct and Sufficient"
For years, social housing residents in Da Nang have enjoyed heavily subsidized rental rates that have remained unchanged despite rising inflation and maintenance costs. The city argues that the current rates are no longer sustainable.
- Maintenance Deficit: Officials state that current revenues are insufficient to cover the surging costs of management, operation, and the essential repairs required to maintain the safety and quality of the buildings.
- Audit Requirements: The move follows recommendations from the State Audit to re-evaluate public asset management and ensure that rental income reflects actual expenditures.
- A Comparison of Values: Even after the proposed hikes, the new rates are expected to remain at only 45% to 75% of the rental frame applied to social housing projects invested in by private enterprises, maintaining a social safety net for tenants.
A Gradual Five-Year Roadmap (2026–2030)
Recognizing the impact on low-income households, the Department of Construction has proposed a phased implementation. The transition period is designed to prevent a sudden "price shock" for the thousands of families residing in the 38 affected complexes.
- Year 1 (2026): Tenants will pay the current rate plus 20% of the difference between the old and new prices.
- Years 2–4 (2027–2029): The adjustment will increase cumulatively by 20% annually (reaching 40%, 60%, and 80% of the difference).
- Year 5 (2030): Full implementation of the newly adjusted rental price.
- Exemptions for Safety: Complexes categorized as "critically degraded" or those already slated for relocation, such as Hoa Minh, Thuan Phuoc, and the Lâm đặc sản Hòa Cường apartments, will not be subject to this price hike.
Significant Variations Across Complexes
The proposed increases are not uniform; they vary wildly based on location, building age, and the quality of existing infrastructure.
- Average Increases: Across the board, most units will see increases ranging from 1.94 to 7.46 times current rates.
- Extreme Cases: Certain prime or high-rise locations are facing much steeper jumps. For example, the Nai Hien Dong 12-story complex is projected to see rents rise from a current average of roughly VND 3,630/m² to over VND 54,000/m² by 2030—a nearly 15-fold increase in base value.
- Current Examples:
- Nam Tuyen Son: Currently ~VND 5,600/m².
- Da Nang Oncology Hospital Staff Housing: Currently ~VND 16,900/m².
Public Consultation and Next Steps
The city has prioritized transparency, launching a public consultation phase to gather feedback from residents and relevant agencies before finalizing the decree.
- Consultation Period: Public feedback will be collected from January 1 to January 10, 2026.
- Final Decision: The Department of Construction will synthesize these opinions and submit a final report to the Da Nang People's Committee, with a final decision expected by January 15, 2026.
- Long-term Goal: This realignment is part of Da Nang's broader housing strategy, which aims to complete nearly 29,000 social housing units by 2030 to meet the growing demands of urban workers and low-income earners.