SH Corporation Holds National Assembly Forum on Decentralization of Housing and Urban Fund

Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH Corporation) and Kim Du-kwan, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, jointly held a forum to explore institutional improvement directions for the Housing and Urban Fund to realize housing welfare for Seoul citizens.

Kim Heon-dong, President of SH Corporation (second from the left in the front row), and Kim Doo-kwan, Member of the National Assembly (third from the left in the front row), along with other participants of the forum, are posing for a commemorative photo.
[Photo by SH Corporation]

On the 24th, SH Corporation and Assemblyman Kim Du-kwan held the "National Assembly Forum for the Localization of the Housing and Urban Fund" at Seminar Room 3 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building, discussing the expansion of public housing supply and government financial support measures to realize housing welfare for Seoul citizens. This forum was organized as a follow-up to the legislative proposal for the amendment of the Housing and Urban Fund Act on August 28, aiming to promote social consensus and institutional improvement.

Director Jeong said in his presentation, "A portion of the Housing and Urban Fund should be transferred to local governments, and various projects need to be carried out according to the authority of local governments," adding, "Related organizations must cooperate so that local government-led projects reflecting regional characteristics can create synergy effects."

After the presentation, Professor Jang Hee-soon of Kangwon National University chaired a discussion on the structural improvement of the Housing and Urban Fund with panelists including Ki Yoon-hwan, Senior Research Fellow at Incheon Research Institute; Song Du-han, Director of GH Urban Housing Research Institute; Yoon Se-hyung, Director of iH Future City Research Institute; Jeon Seong-bae, Director of the Housing Fund Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Cheon Seong-hee, Director of SH Urban Research Institute; and Choi Kyung-ho, Policy Development Advisor of Gyeonggi Province.

Song Du-han, Director of GH Urban Housing Research Institute, argued, "Achieving a fair competitive structure in development projects through structural reform of the Housing and Urban Fund is the beginning of balanced regional development."

Yoon Se-hyung, Director of iH Future City Research Institute, also stated, "Considering the financial independence characteristic of local public enterprises, securing funding is the most critical factor."

Cheon Seong-hee, Director of SH Urban Research Institute, pointed out, "Fundamental consideration of the Housing and Urban Fund is necessary for housing stability and enhancing urban competitiveness."

Choi Kyung-ho, Policy Development Advisor of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized, "Measures are needed to strengthen the capabilities of local public enterprises themselves and to activate cooperation among local public enterprises."

Kim Heon-dong, President of SH Corporation, said, "For the proper operation of the Housing and Urban Fund, financial support such as flexible fund utilization reflecting the characteristics of local governments is essential," adding, "We will actively utilize the various opinions proposed at today's seminar for future institutional improvements."