Affordable housing for needy on the way

China plans to restructure shanty towns in the country and clear up idle land to increase land supply, in the latest efforts to add more affordable housing for low-income families, government officials said yesterday.

"We are striving to finish the restructuring of shanty towns within five years," said Qi Ji, vice-minister of housing and urban-rural development. "In some areas, this job will be finished within three years."

The move is part of the government's real estate package to curb soaring property prices and crack down on speculation.