国内英语新闻:Beijing launches public rental housing for senior citizens

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Eighty-five families have become early settlers in Beijing's first public rental housing community for senior citizens.

The residential community, Huihong Home, has 120 apartments and is located on the eastern side of Beijing's fifth ring road.

To guarantee a comfortable living for the elderly, the apartments averaged from 45 to 61 square meters are installed with emergency call devices and barrier-free facilities such as support arms on toilet seats and medical service elevators.

The rental houses are among the affordable housing programs provided by the municipal government to families with members aged more than 60.

"Besides the size and facilities of the apartment, I am really impressed by the service," said Li Youcai, a 69-year-old tenant in the community.

He said the property management staff were required to visit each household four times a month to address to their needs. They even help senior tenants order vegetables, receive home deliveries and throw out garbage.

There are 3.29 million senior citizens in Beijing. According to Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, more than 30,000 families of elderly people have benefited from the city's affordable housing programs.

The city government has also improved barrier-free facilities in residential communities to help the elderly at home.