The great Chinese achievement last century was lifting hundreds millions out of people poverty. That wont be everyone and some will still be living rough.

I don't know the answer to that, I've only been to Beijing.

But overall, id argue with healthcare, public transit, building a new hospital when covid hit specifically for it, it seems like they're doing better than nickel and diming them to death like USA. It costs money to breath here.

I know a few people that live in rural USA and tap the ground for free water. Waste water from shower goes on random land and brown water into septic and get emptied when full.

Super cheap compared to my city water.

Where I live (US) lots of people don't have running water, not even wells. People live in their cars, in RVs, in tents. Having to bathe in gas station restrooms. US isn't going to fix it either, it's a feature of capitalism, the only way they keep us working such shit jobs is with the threat of homelessness. Home ownership in China is really high, like over 95%. Having that freedom would mean that I could do rainwater catch if I was in a rural area, lots of rural homes (esp eco homes) in the US catch rainwater and store it, like for an off-grid setup. I'd say making sure people own homes so they can be more self-sufficient is taking care of them in one of the most important ways. Letting them own a part of the wealth of their nation instead of squatting under overpasses because they can't afford rent