According to Yang Xiong, deputy-mayor of Shanghai, families whose incomes meet the minimum standards set by the civil affairs departments for ensuring the basics of life, and those whose per capita housing floor space is less than six square meters, insteadof the former five, are allowed to enjoy the government low-rent housing.

Meanwhile, the city government has raised the subsidies for the leasers of such housing, Yang said.

According to the deputy mayor, the low-rent housing has been warmly welcomed by local residents ever since it was launched in December 2001.

By the end of February this year, the city has offered the housing to nearly 3,700 households, with occupancy rate hitting 96 percent.

Yang noted that the relaxation of restrictions on the low-rent housing applicants is meant to expand coverage of the beneficiaries and to solve housing woes for more low-income families.

An additional 10,000 households will be able to enjoy the cheap government housing with the extension of the per capita floor space requirement, the deputy mayor said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2003)