Harbin says it expects to complete construction work on 502 rental housing units by the end of this year, the local Harbin Daily reported on July 31, citing Harbin real estated dwelling house bureau, which said there were 620 families applying to the housing program.

They say that these families can apply for low-cost housing via a lottery, because of the large number of applicants.

These housing projects are mainly in the urban area -- in the Nangang, Xiangfang, Daoli, Daowai and Pingfang districts -- and that work on 1,130 new low-cost units will begin this year in 10 other areas with the decorations and basic appliances covered by government funds.

Rents per square meter will run around 0.35 yuan ($0.06), meaning that a 30-squre meter-flat will cost only 10.5 yuan.