Over 60 Cities Nationwide Have Adjusted and Optimized Policies, Expanding Quotas and Scenarios

Since the beginning of this year, housing provident fund policies have seen intensive adjustments. A review shows that over 60 cities nationwide have optimized their provident fund policies, focusing on loan amounts, down payment ratios, withdrawal scopes, cross-regional mutual recognition, coverage groups, and service innovations to further unlock housing consumption potential and safeguard public welfare.

The 2026 Government Work Report explicitly calls for “deepening the reform of the housing provident fund system.” Experts indicate that local adjustments and optimizations of provident fund policies demonstrate a transformation from a mere “home purchase financing tool” into a comprehensive housing security and livelihood support platform covering residents’ full housing lifecycle—purchase, rental, renovation, and maintenance.

— Increasing loan quotas is the most direct and robust measure in this round of policy adjustments. Starting June 1, Suzhou raised the maximum individual provident fund loan from 1.2 million yuan to 1.5 million yuan, and the maximum family loan from 1.5 million yuan to 2 million yuan. Jilin City further increased loan quotas for purchasing “quality homes” or green-rated residences of one-star or above. Chengdu raised the maximum loan for single and dual contributors to 800,000 yuan and 1.2 million yuan, respectively. Cities like Suqian and Nanchang indirectly boosted loan amounts by increasing account balance multiples.

— Lowering down payment ratios also directly eases the burden on homebuyers. Inner Mongolia introduced measures requiring a minimum down payment of 20% for provident fund loans to purchase commercial housing. For second-hand homes, Zhongshan adjusted down payment ratios based on property age. Starting January 1, 2026, Zhenjiang reduced the down payment for second provident fund loan applications from 30% to 20%.

— Expanding coverage groups benefits flexible employment workers and families with multiple children. Cities like Yichang, Jinan, and Liuzhou have fully opened provident fund contributions for flexible employment individuals. As of now, over 940,000 flexible workers in the Sichuan-Chongqing region have opened accounts, with contributions exceeding 4.2 billion yuan. Cross-regional mutual recognition and lending have also broadened. Guangzhou’s Housing Provident Fund Management Center successfully processed its first cross-border renminbi settlement for a provident fund withdrawal.

— Expanding withdrawal scenarios to more livelihood areas supports diverse housing consumption needs. Withdrawal scenarios are extending from traditional “home purchase and loan repayment” to covering down payments, rent, property management fees, renovation costs, urban renewal, and other livelihood areas. Cities like Xiamen and Yuncheng support withdrawals for down payments. Zibo expanded conditions and scope for down payment withdrawals. Yangzhou comprehensively extended the scope of housing consumption withdrawals to support improved living quality and a full housing lifecycle. In property fee withdrawals, Hefei supports withdrawals up to 4,200 yuan annually. Shenyang, Yichun, Suqian, and Nanchang have also joined this initiative.

Many cities nationwide include home aging-friendly and child-friendly renovations, as well as housing decoration, within withdrawal scopes. Chengdu supports withdrawals for urban renewal. Shenyang supports withdrawals for housing renovation projects like demolition and reconstruction. Suining allows contributors and their spouses who complete “old-for-new” renovations of dilapidated housing to withdraw provident funds for personal expenses. Xuzhou eases withdrawals for property and heating fees and supports withdrawals for special maintenance funds. Xiamen permits residents to withdraw provident funds for home decoration at a standard of 1,800 yuan per square meter.

Chen Jie, director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Research Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, says cities are accelerating explorations into using provident funds for property fees, housing renovations, and elevator installations. Provident fund reform can closely integrate with urban renewal and old housing renovation, especially by increasing support for residents’ self-initiated renewal of demolition-and-reconstruction old housing.

Wu Jing, director of the Real Estate Research Center at Tsinghua University, believes the coverage of the housing provident fund system will further expand, service convenience will continue to improve, and the system’s foundational role in promoting housing consumption and safeguarding public welfare will become more prominent.

Suzhou

Suzhou, located in Jiangsu Province, China, is a historic city renowned for its classical gardens, canals, and silk industry, often called the “Venice of the East.” Its history dates back over 2,500 years, flourishing as a major cultural and economic center during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The city’s exquisite gardens, such as the Humble Administrator’s Garden, are UNESCO World Heritage sites, reflecting traditional Chinese landscape design.

Jilin City

Jilin City, located in northeastern China along the Songhua River, is known for its rich history as a former provincial capital and a key industrial and transportation hub. It was founded in 1673 during the Qing Dynasty and played a significant role in the region’s military and economic development. Today, the city is famous for its stunning winter rime ice scenery and cultural landmarks like the Beishan Park and the ancient Confucian Temple.

Chengdu

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province in southwestern China, known for its rich history dating back over 2,000 years as the center of the ancient Shu civilization. It is famously the home of the giant panda, with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding dedicated to their conservation. Additionally, Chengdu is celebrated for its spicy Sichuan cuisine and as a starting point for exploring the nearby Dujiangyan irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 3rd century BCE.

Suqian

Suqian is a city in Jiangsu Province, China, known for its rich cultural heritage and as the birthplace of Xiang Yu, a prominent military leader from the late Qin dynasty. The city features historical sites such as the Xiang Yu Memorial Hall and the ancient city of Sucheng, which date back over 2,000 years. Today, Suqian is also recognized for its beautiful wetlands and the annual China (Suqian) Green Expo.

Nanchang

Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China, with a history spanning over 2,200 years. It is best known as the site of the Nanchang Uprising on August 1, 1927, a pivotal event that marked the beginning of the Chinese Communist Party’s armed struggle and is now celebrated as the founding of the People’s Liberation Army. Today, the city combines its revolutionary heritage with modern development, featuring landmarks like the Tengwang Pavilion, a historic Tang dynasty tower rebuilt after numerous destructions.

Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region in northern China, known for its vast grasslands and nomadic culture. Historically, it was the homeland of various Mongol tribes and played a key role in the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan. Today, it blends traditional herding lifestyles with modern industry, including mining and agriculture.

Zhongshan

Zhongshan is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province, China, named after Dr. Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan), the founding father of the Republic of China. Historically, it was originally known as Xiangshan County before being renamed in 1925 to honor Sun Yat-sen, who was born in the nearby village of Cuiheng. Today, Zhongshan is known for its well-preserved cultural heritage, including traditional Lingnan architecture, and its role as a hub for light manufacturing and innovation.

Zhenjiang

Zhenjiang is a historic city in Jiangsu Province, China, situated at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal. It has been a strategic military and cultural center for over 2,000 years, serving as a key transportation hub and the capital of several ancient kingdoms. Notable sites include the scenic Jinshan Temple and the ancient Xijin Ferry, reflecting its rich heritage as a crossroads of trade and culture.