Affordable Housing for Migrants in the Suburban Areas of Ho Chi Minh City: Current Situation and Demands Based on Field Surveys

The rapid urbanization process in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has led to a mechanical increase in the population, especially from migrants coming from the southern provinces of Vietnam. The objective of this study is to determine the current living conditions and access to affordable housing for migrants in the suburban areas of HCMC. This research will investigate and analyze the current situation and demands for affordable housing among migrant workers, particularly in the suburban districts of Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Nha Be, and Cu Chi—areas with several industrial zones and attracting a large number of migrants with low to medium incomes. Through surveys and in-depth interviews with workers and local officials, the research team identified a shortage of affordable housing, poor living conditions in unauthorized lodging areas, and limited access to housing policies. The study also clarifies the awareness, desires and actual demands of migrants in HCMC regarding affordable housing. Based on this, the authors propose policy directions for developing appropriate and sustainable affordable housing models in the context of rapid urbanization in the suburban areas of HCMC.