The Youth of Lang Son Join Hands to Eradicate Temporary and Dilapidated Housing

Eliminating temporary and dilapidated housing is a key policy of the Party and the State aimed at providing stable housing for disadvantaged individuals, enabling them to improve their lives. Alongside other organizations and agencies, youth unions and associations across Lang Son Province have actively taken the lead in mobilizing socialized resources to contribute to this mission.

The family of Mr. Nong Van Meo, residing in Song Sai Village, Dong Quan Commune, Loc Binh District, faces exceptionally challenging circumstances and has been supported with the construction of a new house under the province's program to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated housing. The construction site is located more than 800 meters from the main road, accessible only via steep slopes and narrow, winding paths, making it impossible for trucks to deliver materials directly to the site. To ensure the construction progress, in late November 2024, the Loc Binh District Youth Union mobilized over 30 members of the youth union to assist Mr. Meo's family by using motorbikes and wheelbarrows to transport concrete bricks, sand, and cement. This is not an isolated effort; across the entire province, youth union members from various local branches have been actively contributing their labor to join hands in eliminating makeshift and dilapidated housing.

Mr. Doan Thanh Cong, Deputy Secretary in charge of the Provincial Youth Union, shared that providing housing support for disadvantaged individuals is one of the major programs that youth organizations at all levels have prioritized in recent years. Recently, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Youth Union and the Secretariat of the Provincial Youth Federation have directed organizations to strengthen connections with agencies, organizations, and businesses both within and outside the province to mobilize social resources to fund house construction. They have also conducted campaigns to encourage youth union members to contribute their labor to help families build new homes.

The program supporting housing construction for disadvantaged individuals has been actively promoted by the Youth Union and the Youth Association through electronic communication channels, social media platforms, and official Fanpages of these organizations at all levels. Thanks to this, the program has gained widespread attention and support from youth union members.

At various levels, the Youth Union and Federation have proactively coordinated with relevant units to identify households facing difficulties according to specified criteria. Based on this, they have surveyed the needs, feasibility, and aspirations of the families to facilitate the implementation of assistance in eliminating makeshift and dilapidated housing. Priority is given to children and families under social welfare policies struggling with housing issues, as part of major programs such as Youth Month, the Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign, and the Spring Volunteer Campaign.

The funding for new housing construction has been mobilized through social contributions and connections established by the Youth Union and Federation at all levels. Recognizing the significance of the program and the specific circumstances of each household, numerous organizations and individuals, both within and beyond the province, have joined the initiative and introduced additional resources. Notable contributors include the Central Agencies Youth Union and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group.

In addition to financial mobilization, the Youth Union and Federation have encouraged youth union members to contribute funds, materials, equipment, and labor to support the effort. Responding to the Provincial Youth Union and Provincial Youth Federation’s program, local unions and members have formed volunteer teams to provide labor assistance for households. This support has significantly reduced incidental costs during construction and enhanced the value of the completed projects.

Ms. Nong Thi Hao, Secretary of the Loc Binh District Youth Union, stated:
"Following the directives of the District Party Committee, the District People’s Committee, and the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee, since the beginning of 2024, youth organizations in the district have contributed labor for 10 families to build new houses. We organized volunteer teams to conduct intensive support campaigns, focusing on specific tasks such as fetching water, mixing mortar, transporting materials, and digging soil. This has helped the families minimize construction costs and improve the quality of their housing projects."

With support ranging from 50 million VND to over 100 million VND per household, depending on specific circumstances, the provincial Youth Union and Federation have funded the construction of 45 new houses for families in dire need since early 2023. In 2024 alone, 20 disadvantaged families received housing support totaling 1.8 billion VND. Of this, the provincial level funded the construction of 10 houses worth 1.3 billion VND, while district-level support accounted for 10 houses valued at over 500 million VND. Additionally, youth union members at grassroots levels contributed more than 300 labor days to assist nearly 70 households with construction and material transportation.

Hoang Van Luu, a 9th-grade student from Binh Trung Village, Van An Commune, Chi Lang District, shared his experience: "In July 2024, my family received support from the Provincial Youth Union and the Vietnam Youth Federation to build a new house. The construction has now been completed and handed over to my family. The house, with a total area of about 40 square meters, includes a living room and two bedrooms, funded with 200 million VND. My parents and I are thrilled and deeply touched to move into this spacious, solid new home. We are determined to work hard to escape poverty, and I will strive to improve my academic performance."

In the coming period, youth organizations at all levels will continue to promote the spirit of proactiveness, volunteerism, and creativity in mobilizing social resources. They aim to engage and rally youth members to support disadvantaged families in building new homes, thereby motivating these families to stabilize their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.