A recent study conducted by the University of Economics and Law (UEL) highlights that young individuals in Vietnam face three major barriers when attempting to access social housing. These barriers include financial difficulties, lack of information, and complex procedures, making it challenging for the youth to secure affordable housing.

According to the report titled "Research on the Needs, Expectations, and Psychological Mechanisms of Groups Not Accessing Social Housing," approximately 22% of respondents indicated that their current income is insufficient to purchase or access social housing. Despite the lower prices compared to commercial housing, potential buyers still need to prepare their own capital, maintain the ability to repay loans, and cover related expenses. This presents a significant burden for young workers who are just beginning to accumulate assets.

The second barrier identified is the lack of information and difficulties in accessing the necessary procedures. About 20% of respondents stated they did not know how to register for social housing, while 19% found the documentation and approval processes overly complicated. Furthermore, around 16% of participants were uncertain if they qualified for social housing assistance. This indicates that, alongside financial challenges, a portion of those in need remains unclear about the conditions for accessing these policies.

Location and supply information also pose significant obstacles. Thirteen percent of respondents noted that many projects are located far from their workplaces or lack convenient transportation links, while 8% reported insufficient information about ongoing projects for sale. Only about 1% indicated they faced no difficulties in accessing social housing.

At a recent scientific seminar titled "Research on Developing Policies for Social Housing Market Formation in Vietnam," PGS. TS. Tran Thi Hong Lien, head of the Business Administration Department at UEL, emphasized that among the three major barriers, pricing remains the top challenge for those seeking social housing. She noted that approximately 45.5% of prospective buyers consider price to be the most critical factor when choosing a property, followed by apartment size and project location.

Regarding pricing expectations, more than half of respondents hope to find a 50 square meter apartment priced below one billion VND. Specifically, 39% desire prices ranging from 500 million to under one billion VND, while 15% expect prices below 500 million VND. In contrast, 27% are willing to pay between one billion and under 1.5 billion VND, with only about 18% open to higher prices.

Notably, over 67% of those looking to purchase social housing earn less than 20 million VND per month, indicating limited financial capacity. Therefore, Lien argues that pricing that aligns with financial capabilities should be a central focus in developing social housing supply.

The research indicates that the primary target group for social housing consists of young families aged 20-40, accounting for nearly 89%. Among the occupational structure, migrant workers represent the largest group, making up about 29%. These individuals often have housing needs in urban areas but face challenges in initial asset accumulation.

Interestingly, only 2.4% of respondents ranked home purchase loan incentives as the most important factor, while 26.8% placed this criterion at the bottom of their priorities. According to Lien, for buyers, price, size, and location remain the foremost concerns. While financing can provide support, the first priority must be that housing prices are within reach.

In addition to pricing, buyers also expect social housing projects to meet essential living needs. The most frequently mentioned amenities include shopping, education, healthcare, and transportation, followed by recreational areas, sports facilities, internal services, green spaces, and security.

Le Hoang Chau, president of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA), discussed solutions to enhance land use efficiency for social housing projects. He suggested that allowing increased land use coefficients or construction density could raise the number of apartments on the same land area, thereby distributing land development costs across more units and contributing to lower prices.

Chau also emphasized that social housing development should closely align with local needs, including apartment size, structure, and location, rather than solely focusing on increasing quantity. Products that match financial capabilities and actual needs will ensure that supply reaches the target groups requiring support.

In addition to pricing issues, accessing policies remains a barrier for many in need. PGS. TS. Tran Thi Hong Lien noted that most individuals still face at least one obstacle in their search for and access to social housing. Therefore, policies need to be designed to encompass the entire journey of citizens, from information gathering, condition verification, document preparation, approval, contract signing, to house handover. Difficult steps need to be identified to provide specific support measures.

The research team recommends establishing a centralized information channel for social housing, publicly outlining the registration process step by step, providing frequently asked questions, and creating tools for citizens to self-check their eligibility before preparing their documents. Information about projects, processing times, and registration results should also be made clearer to help those in need reduce search times and minimize errors in procedures.