In a move to bolster the stability of the property market, Shanghai city has unveiled a plan to buy second-hand homes for use as public rental housing, reports the South China Morning Post. The move aims to bolster stability in the property market and is timed to coincide with the opening of the city’s annual “two sessions” meetings.
With the official launch of a pilot programme on Monday, the city aims to meet rental demand from young residents including college students and new urban arrivals. The initiative will roll out first in the downtown districts of Pudong, Jing’an and Xuhui.
Backed by China Construction Bank, the move was intended to encourage housing affordability, stimulate market liquidity and shorten wait times for public rental housing, officials said.