China's Current Housing Issues and Policies

Abstract

Abstract Since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, China has experienced severe shortages of housing space, deteriorating housing conditions, and overcrowding. With the open-door policies of the present government, however, China has invested more funds in housing and is trying to improve the general situation. This paper examines China's post-1949 housing problems and explains institutional characteristics of ownership, financing strategies, and residential distribution in the post-Mao era.