Revisions to state-owned housing regulations for officials During a conference on housing law held on April 2, the NA's Standing Committee emphasised the need to revise policies related to housing subsidies for state officials while they serve.    Seven officials evicted from apartments in Hanoi Officials are allowed to stay in state-owned homes while working far from home. However, according to the committee, the current policy favours high-ranking state officials, while giving much less support to younger ones who are in more need of it, causing some friction. The committee suggested that the government give officials a subsidy, adding it to their monthly wages and allow them choose appropriate living quarters on the open market. Deputy Tran Ngoc Vinh said, "Several officials have refused to return their apartments to the state after their terms in office had ended. There are cases where officials lease out their apartments for more money than what they pay. We need more specific regulations on matters such as how many square metres a minister should be given." Deputy Nguyen Sy Cuong said the core problem is the low rental rate they are afforded. He said, "An official may only have to pay a few hundred thousand VND for an apartment that might normally cost VND10 million (USD476). Government should charge the actual cost once the terms of their service have ended." Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung said he is open to all opinions in considering this issue, especially those related to giving support to all officials instead of favouring high-ranking ones. Recently, it was pointed out that many officials in a state-owned building on Hanoi, had not left their apartments even though they had been retired for years. Many allow let their relatives to stay while they live in other houses. In some reported cases, the relatives continue to live in the apartments even after the officials' death. "I stay because no one has asked me to leave," said the former deputy minister of Natural Resources and Environment. By P.Thao, dtinews.vn