经济日报评论：住房公积金制度将深化改革

Core Viewpoint - The housing provident fund system in China is set for reform in 2024, aiming to enhance its role in supporting housing demand and economic stability, benefiting a larger number of contributors [1] Group 1: Housing Provident Fund Contributions and Reforms - In 2024, the number of contributors to the housing provident fund reached 176.29 million [1] - The Central Economic Work Conference in 2025 proposed deepening reforms of the housing provident fund system, which is expected to elevate successful local practices to a national level [1] - The reforms are anticipated to better meet housing needs and stimulate domestic demand [1] Group 2: Support for Housing Purchases - The housing provident fund will continue to support residents in purchasing homes, with policies in place to increase loan limits and optimize processes for converting commercial loans to provident fund loans [1] - The fund is expected to adapt to changing circumstances, providing more support for housing renovations and improvements in living conditions [1] Group 3: Inclusion of Flexible Employment - The housing provident fund's scope is expanding to include flexible employment workers, with 23 new cities participating in the pilot program, increasing the total to 36 cities [2] - By the end of 2024, over 1 million flexible employment workers are expected to contribute to the housing provident fund, with 240,000 already utilizing it for housing [2] Group 4: Increased Utilization for Rent and Home Improvement - In 2024, 81.27 million people withdrew from the housing provident fund, representing 46.10% of contributors, indicating a significant trend towards using the fund for both purchasing and renting homes [3] - The fund is also being utilized for home improvements, with 65,300 people withdrawing 2.04 billion yuan for elevator installations and other renovations [3] Group 5: Broader Applications in Public Welfare - By the end of 2024, the total balance of the housing provident fund is projected to reach 10.93 trillion yuan, with various cities exploring its use for public welfare, such as paying property fees and installing elevators in existing residential buildings [3] Group 6: Service Efficiency Improvements - There is a focus on enhancing the efficiency of housing provident fund services through improved data governance and standardization, aiming to make the process more convenient for users [4]