住房公积金“付首付”，政策再扩围

Core Viewpoint - The recent policies across various cities in China aim to utilize housing provident fund accounts to support homebuyers in paying down payments, thereby lowering the barriers to home purchases and stimulating the real estate market [3][4][5]. Policy Developments - Cities such as Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Xi'an have introduced policies allowing the use of housing provident funds for down payments on new and second-hand homes [4][5][6]. - Qingdao has expanded its housing provident fund withdrawal policies to support down payments for various types of housing [4][5]. - The number of cities implementing such policies has exceeded 30 this year, including both first-tier and some third- and fourth-tier cities [5][11]. Implementation and Process - In Hangzhou, the process for using housing provident funds for down payments has been streamlined to allow online applications, enhancing convenience for homebuyers [7][8]. - A dedicated fund supervision account is established to ensure the safety of the funds, allowing for refunds if the purchase contract is canceled [8]. Usage Statistics - In 2024, over 81 million people withdrew a total of approximately 27.65 billion yuan from housing provident funds, with a significant increase in withdrawals for rental housing compared to the previous year [9][10]. - The policies are designed to increase the efficiency of fund usage and reduce the "sleeping" status of these funds [8][11]. Broader Implications - The adjustments in housing provident fund policies are expected to lower the cost of home purchases and improve access for specific groups, such as families with multiple children [11]. - The ongoing expansion of the housing provident fund's role reflects its importance in addressing housing needs and improving living conditions for low- and middle-income families [11].