[Core Reading] In just one month, the number of affordable housing projects started across the country has increased from 3.4 million units to 5 million units. The rapid acceleration is heartening, but also raises doubts. While people are paying attention to the number of units started, they should be more concerned about the progress and quality of the construction, as well as the many problems currently faced, such as tight timelines, heavy tasks, insufficient funding, operation management, and more. By the end of June, 5 million units of various types of affordable housing projects had been started nationwide, accounting for half of the total target of starting 10 million units this year. With half the time gone and half the task completed, the current situation indicates that the progress of this year's affordable housing projects is good. However, as we reach the middle of the year, it is also a critical stage for the construction of these projects. To meet the goal of starting all 10 million units by the end of November, there are still many challenges ahead.
Why has there been such a significant increase in the number of units started?
The figure of 5 million units is both heartening and suspicious.
By the end of May, the number of affordable housing units started across the country was 3.4 million. At the time, many people expressed concerns about the slow progress. In just one month, the number of units started has sharply increased to 5 million. Is there any exaggeration in this figure?
Regarding the seemingly less than ideal data on the number of units started by the end of May, our newspaper has conducted an analysis. Due to project planning, approval, land availability, and funding issues, the start of affordable housing projects tends to be slower at first and then accelerates. Historically, a start rate of over 30% in the first half of the year is considered normal.