BEIJING, June 14 -- The Chinese central government will budget 23 billion yuan (3.74 billion U.S. dollars) for the renovation of dilapidated houses of low-income farmers in rural areas this year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced on Friday.

The budget this year is expected to cover 2.66 million poverty-stricken households, a statement from the ministry said.

The average subsidy will amount to 7,500 yuan per household, but for the most impoverished families located in the country's border regions, subsidies will be set at 10,000 yuan per household, the statement said.

The renovation or rebuilding work will mainly be carried out by the farmers themselves using subsidy support from the state, the statement said.

The ministry estimated home floor space per household will reach 60 square meters, or 13 square meters per person, on average after renovations.