Society

72.8% urban families in Beijing own homes: survey

By Yan Weijue (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-06-30 11:30

Over 70 percent of Beijing's urban families own their homes, according to a sampling survey cited in the Beijing News Wednesday.

The survey, conducted by an investigation team for the National Bureau of Statistics, sampled 800 families in the city's 18 districts and counties in April and May. It found 72.8 percent of them own homes, including 35.1 percent in subsidized housing, 32.6 percent in commercial houses and 5.1 percent in old private or self-built houses .

It also revealed 24.4 percent families rent for living, with the remaining 2.8 percent choosing to lodge in the homes of relatives or friends.

Despite the high number of home owners, 45.8 percent are still planning to buy a second house, including 22 percent who say they will complete the purchase within 5 years.

Houses with areas of 70-100 square meters are highly favored by 56 percent of families who want to buy a house in the future. And 27.3 percent believe 40-70 square meters is acceptable.