47% of Severely Disabled Semi-basement Households "Need Public Rental Housing"... Seoul City "Will Accommodate through SH and LH"

Press Briefing on Seoul City's 'Support Measures for Banjiha Households' on the 5th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Nearly half of severely disabled residents living in semi-basement households identified public rental housing as the most needed housing support program. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will prioritize assisting 69 basic livelihood security recipients among households hoping for public rental housing to relocate within this year.

On the 5th at 2 p.m., Seoul held a press briefing on the 'Support Measures for Semi-Basement Residents' at Seoul City Hall briefing room. According to an interview survey conducted with severely disabled residents living in semi-basement households, public rental housing (47.2%·100 households) ranked first as the most needed housing support program. Regarding preferred locations for public rental housing, over 70% responded either within the same district (38.8%) or near their current residence (35.3%).

The second most needed housing support program was housing improvement support (14.6%·31 households), followed by ▲housing purchase loan support (8.0%·17 households) ▲jeonse deposit loan support (7.5%·16 households) ▲monthly rent subsidy support (4.2%·9 households) ▲information provision (2.8%·6 households). The survey was conducted over approximately two weeks from the 13th to the 28th of last month targeting 370 semi-basement households with severely disabled residents, with 220 households participating in the response.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among the 100 households that expressed a desire for public rental housing in the interview survey, 69 basic livelihood security recipients are prioritized for relocation within this year. The city explained that currently 4 households have completed applications for housing upgrades, and 16 households are preparing to apply. Yoo Changsoo, Director of Seoul’s Housing Policy Office, stated, "Since basic livelihood security recipients qualify for public housing, we are preparing measures to promote relocation within this year."

Regarding concerns about whether the supply of public rental housing is sufficient to meet demand, the city responded that it is implementing comprehensive measures in cooperation with Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH Corporation) and Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH Corporation). Director Yoo said, "According to SH Corporation, there are 175 households remaining for emergency public rental relocation support, and 715 vacant units. Including LH Corporation’s supply, a significant number can be accommodated."

It was also reported that the 49 households who wish to upgrade their housing but are not yet preparing applications are being sequentially supported for relocation. Director Yoo explained, "Currently, counseling is not 100% complete; the 69 households were identified through basic livelihood security data. Counseling is not completed in a single visit but requires multiple visits and a series of processes, so the remaining 49 households have not yet completed counseling."

The city will also provide specific vouchers if semi-basement residents move to above-ground floors. A temporary support of 200,000 KRW per household per month for up to two years in housing costs will be provided. Applications will be accepted starting November, with payments beginning in December.