A former housing administration official in Henan Province is being investigated for corruption after a whistle-blower said his family owns 29 houses.

Prosecutors in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, have launched an investigation into Zhai Zhenfeng, former director of a district housing bureau, Xinhua news agency reported yesterday.

A preliminary probe confirmed that Zhai's family owns 29 houses.

"We will crack down on the law offender and release details to the public in a timely manner," officials with the city government said yesterday.

The issue hit the headlines after Zhai's daughter was said last month to own 11 budget apartments in a residential complex in Zhengzhou.

Last year, the whistle-blower accused Zhai of engaging in practices for his own personal gain such as buying affordable houses and selling them at a profit and acquiring properties for his son and daughter when he was the housing administration head.

In September 2011, Zhai was removed from his post by the local discipline inspection watchdog of Erqi District for a set of disciplinary offences, including seeking profits for his family, Xinhua said.

The procuratorate of Zhengzhou said, based on the previous findings of Zhai's misconduct, he has violated the law and the case should be placed on file for investigation.

Zhai's case resembles that of Cai Bin, a top official with Guangzhou City's urban management administration, who was found to own 21 homes and was accused of taking bribes. Cai was suspended pending an investigation.