400,000 Vulnerable Households in Seoul
Improving Housing Conditions and Reducing Housing Cost Burden
Systematic Framework Established for Crisis Household Survey, Identification, Support, and Follow-up Management
Ensuring Execution through Public-Private Collaboration with Local Communities
[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Hwang Seoyul] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to guarantee housing rights for 400,000 households living in poor housing conditions such as 'Jiokgo' (semi-basement, rooftop rooms, and goshiwon), and shantytowns. Semi-basement housing will be gradually reduced, and 'Seoul-style public dormitories' will be built on sites acquired from old goshiwons and public contribution lands. To enhance implementation, a public-private collaboration system involving companies and non-profit organizations (NPOs) will also be established.
On the 30th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon held a press conference at Seoul City Hall and announced the 'Comprehensive Housing Safety Net Plan' centered on these points. Mayor Oh stated, "The number of people living in poor housing conditions is not decreasing," adding, "In addition to supplying rental housing, we focused on how to care for and embrace these individuals."
The core of this plan is a shift from the 'application-based' support system, which provides fragmented aid whenever there is social demand, to a 'discovery-based housing welfare' approach. To this end, an organic system will operate from investigating at-risk households to discovery, support, and follow-up management. Specifically, a 'Housing Vulnerable Population Housing Status Sample Survey' will be conducted every two years, and the results will be registered in the Comprehensive Architecture and Housing Information System for integrated management. A housing safety net map will also be created to check semi-basement housing by district, elapsed years, flood history, and other factors.
Based on this, the housing environment of 'Jiokgo,' which is exposed to risks such as flooding and fire, will also be improved. First, semi-basement housing will be gradually reduced through purchase or renovation. Existing ground floors will be converted to non-residential use, and residents of semi-basement units will be assisted in relocating to the ground floors of their current homes or to public rental housing. The goal is to supply 16,400 households by 2026 using this method. Instead of eliminating semi-basements in existing homes, incentives such as floor area ratio relaxation will be provided, and a 'semi-basement housing joint development' project will be promoted, where the increased volume will be preferentially purchased as public rental housing.
An Anshim Goshiwon (Safe Goshiwon) certification system will be introduced. This certification will be granted to privately owned goshiwons that meet safety standards such as sprinklers and evacuation routes, as well as minimum housing standards like minimum area. Remodeling costs will be supported to encourage certification.
Seoul-style public dormitories will also be built on sites acquired by purchasing old goshiwons or through public contribution in redevelopment projects. Remodeling of old goshiwons in Sillim-dong will begin as early as next year. From 2024, construction of Seoul-style public dormitories will be promoted on sites secured in university-dense areas such as Bukahyeon 3 District and the Kwangwoon University station area. A private cooperation model involving companies will also be pursued for dormitory construction.
For rooftop rooms inhabited by disabled persons, elderly living alone, and households with children, repair costs meeting architectural safety standards such as structure, insulation, and evacuation will be supported. After repairs, these will be operated as long-term safe housing, providing part of the jeonse deposit interest-free. Starting with 50 locations next year, the goal is to refurbish a total of 350 locations over the next four years.
Support will also be provided to help vulnerable groups living in shantytowns and vinyl greenhouses relocate to public rental housing. It is estimated that about 1,500 households still live in small room villages in areas such as Guryong, Seongdui, and Jaegun villages. Yuchangsoo, Director of Housing Policy, said, "Some elderly residents who have lived in these areas for a long time feel uncomfortable moving to rental housing," adding, "For those individuals, facility improvements and safe facilities will be provided in parallel to increase satisfaction with housing stability."
In addition, the city plans to expand the scope of home repair subsidies, which were previously limited to 'Housing Performance Improvement Support Zones,' to vulnerable residential facilities throughout Seoul, and raise the support limit for 'long-term safe housing,' which provides interest-free support for jeonse and monthly rent deposits, up to 60 million KRW.
To ensure sustainable implementation of the comprehensive plan, active public-private collaboration will be pursued. Centered on the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) Housing Safety Net Comprehensive Center, partnerships will be built with private companies, non-profit organizations, and local communities to cooperate throughout the entire process. Incentives such as Social Impact Bonds (SIB) to encourage private participation and the development of Seoul-style ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) indicators will also be considered.
Meanwhile, the city plans to invest a total of 7.5 trillion KRW by 2026 to dramatically improve the difficulties faced by vulnerable housing groups. The annual average budget is 1.9 trillion KRW, with about 800 billion KRW coming from city funds.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is announcing the comprehensive housing safety net measures at Seoul City Hall on the 30th. (Photo by Seoul City)
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