Ministries Release Notice on Improving the Construction of Supporting Facilities During the Renovation of Old Residential

Neighbourhood [Photo/Sohu]

Strengthening the construction of supporting facilities for the renovation of old communities in rural and urban area is related to the safety of the people's lives and property, and is related to meeting the needs of the people for a better life.

In order to implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, strengthen the construction of supporting facilities during the renovation of old urban residential communities as well as the investigation and handling of potential safety hazards. On September 7, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued the "Notice on Strengthening the Construction of Supporting Facilities During the Renovation of Old Residential Communities" (hereinafter referred to as The Notice). The Notice is divided into 5 major items and 12 sub-items: increasing the reserve of projects, strengthening funding guarantee, strengthening supervision during and after the event, improving the long-term management mechanism, and other matters.

First, increase the reserve of projects. Combining with the investigation and rectification of potential safety hazards in housing and urban and rural construction, carefully investigate and eliminate the shortcomings of supporting facilities that need to be renovated in the old urban residential communities built before the end of 2000. Scientifically prepare the annual renovation plan. Prioritize the old residential communities with many potential safety hazards, severe lack of supporting facilities, and strong willingness to transform into the annual renovation plan, and ensure all the old communities that meet the scope of the renovation target should be included. Handle approval, verification, filing and construction permit procedures in accordance with laws and regulations.

Second, strengthen funding guarantee. All investment from the central government’s budget should be used for the construction of supporting facilities for the transformation of old residential communities. All localities should coordinate local funding resources, and focus on eliminating all kinds of hidden safety hazards in old urban communities, improving drainage and waterlogging prevention capabilities, improving nursing facilities for the elderly and childcare facilities, building parking lots and convenient service facilities and other supporting facilities in old residential communities. Funds for the renovation of old residential communities actively support the elimination of hidden safety hazards. Implement the responsibilities of professional operating units. Promote financing through multiple channels. Promote the important role of developmental and policy-based finance in supporting the renovation of old residential communities, and encourage financial institutions to participate in the investment in urban renewal funds such as the renovation fund of old residential communities established by local governments. For the renovation content with a certain profit, single or multiple professional contracting of social capital is encouraged.

Third, strengthen supervision during and after the project. Improve the construction quality and safety supervision during the project implementation. Effectively strengthen the supervision of the renovation projects of old residential communities, and promptly solve problems when discovered. Improve the overall coordination of project construction. Organically integrate the renovation of old residential communities with the construction of municipal pipe network facilities, public service facilities, and projects supported by various special funds. Holistically arrange the renovation of old residential communities with flood control and drainage, pollution control, rainwater resourcce utilization, and municipal construction projects. Optimize the spatial layout and construction sequence to avoid repeated excavation. Strictly organize project completion acceptance, and strictly evaluate the safety and quality as an important part of the completion acceptance. All parties concerned are encouraged to conduct joint acceptance.

Fourth, improve the long-term management mechanism. Cities (counties) at all levels should earnestly perform the main responsibility of safety management, implement the responsibilities of relevant departments, and consolidate the responsibilities of professional operating units. Give full play to the leading role of Party building, promote the modernization of the community's grassroots governance system and capabilities, and jointly maintain the results of renovation. Promote professional property management, establish and improve the collection, use and renewal system of residential communities’ special maintenance funds. Broaden the sources of funds, coordinate the common income of owners such as the operating income of public facilities, and ensure the follow-up capital needs of old residential communities.

Last, since 2021, the special investment in the central budget of the affordable housing project strictly follows special management measures, supports the construction of directly related supporting facilities in and around the community, and does not support the construction of separate urban sewage treatment facilities and supporting pipe networks. Local governments must specifically follow the request of the central budget and implemented them into specific projects. In the specific projects that have been divided in 2021, those that do not meet the requirements should be adjusted in time and filed with the National Development and Reform Commission.

Sources: <https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ht7s2sY9nsKbAEmnmgjvCw>

Edited and translated by Fan Junyi