80,000 Units of Public Rental Housing Tailored for the Elderly to Be Supplied

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The government is actively stepping up customized housing support for low-income elderly individuals. It plans to supply 80,000 specialized housing units designed with the health and convenience of the elderly in mind, along with providing various care services.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 1st a full-scale implementation plan to advance elderly housing welfare policies in accordance with the 'Housing Welfare Roadmap 2.0' announced on the 20th of last month. Through this updated roadmap, the ministry will supply 80,000 public rental housing units exclusively for the elderly and support remodeling and home repairs tailored to seniors.

Among the 80,000 public rental housing units for the elderly, 10,000 units will be supplied as 'Elderly Welfare Housing.' These homes are built with barrier-free specialized facilities such as safety handrails and height-adjustable washbasins for low-income seniors aged 65 and over. Social welfare facilities equipped with health and leisure amenities will also be provided to allow residents to fully enjoy their leisure time.

The Ministry plans to supply 4,000 units of elderly welfare housing from 2019 to 2022, and then provide 2,000 units annually over three years from 2023 to 2025, achieving a total of 10,000 units. Among these, 682 units across six locations will recruit residents this year. For example, 150 units in Gwangyang Chilsung and 124 units in Yeongdeok Yeonghae are seeking tenants. Notably, the Yeongdeok Yeonghae complex features a pleasant layout considering wind paths and includes various convenience facilities such as a physical therapy room and communal laundry room.

▲ Yeongdeok Yeonghae Elderly Welfare Housing Perspective (Provided by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

The remaining 70,000 units will be supplied by 2025 through construction-type public rental housing such as National Rental and Happy Housing, as well as purchased and jeonse rental housing. Newly built public rental housing will incorporate specialized designs for vulnerable residents, including threshold removal, installation of safety bars, and height-adjustable washbasins, and will be supplied to elderly residents. Approximately 8% of newly supplied units in the metropolitan area and 5% in provincial areas will be designated for this purpose. Customized remodeling reflecting specialized designs is also being promoted for purchased rental housing, with 700 units recruiting residents across 12 regions this year.

Housing services will be strengthened in existing elderly public rental housing. Residential welfare professionals will be assigned to 20 complexes?10 permanent rental housing complexes and 10 purchased rental housing complexes?to provide close care services for elderly and vulnerable groups. Additionally, care assurance services targeting seniors discharged from nursing hospitals will be expanded.

Furthermore, the home repair project supporting low-income elderly residents to continue living in their homes by covering repair costs for aging facilities such as wallpaper, flooring, sinks, and heating/cooling systems will continue. Support of up to 12.41 million KRW will be provided depending on the housing's aging level for elderly individuals with income below 45% of the median income. This year, the project will target 14,000 low-income elderly households.

On the 1st, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi visited the elderly welfare housing site in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do, and checked COVID-19 quarantine status and life support policies such as free meal delivery. Minister Kim stated, "In response to demographic changes due to increased life expectancy, we plan to further expand customized support for the elderly that simultaneously provides housing and care."