"Innovation Award" for the Affordable Rental Housing Policy
for Youth and Newlyweds
On December 23, Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province won the "Innovation Award" for its affordable rental housing policy for youth and newlyweds (hereinafter referred to as affordable rental housing) at the 2025 Korea Youth Policy Awards, held at the National Assembly Library Grand Auditorium.
Hwasun County won the "Innovation Award" at the 2025 Korea Youth Policy Awards for its policy on affordable rental housing for youth and newlyweds (hereinafter referred to as affordable rental housing). Photo by Hwasun County
According to the county on December 24, the Korea Youth Policy Awards is a nationwide youth policy awards ceremony organized by the Customized Youth Policy Platform Yeolgodadgi and co-hosted by the Korea Youth Voters Alliance, YouthNow, and Loglo. The awards evaluate and select policies based on effectiveness and social value, with direct participation from young people themselves.
This Innovation Award is particularly meaningful as it recognizes a policy that has been validated through the choices and consensus of young people, rather than being unilaterally imposed by the administration.
Amid soaring housing costs and an unstable rental market, housing insecurity among the younger generation has emerged as a structural issue. High monthly rents and hefty upfront deposits have long been major obstacles to youth independence and local settlement.
The affordable rental housing policy has provided a practical alternative to youth housing challenges by dramatically reducing housing costs and guaranteeing stable residency periods, thereby offering a minimum safety net for young people to plan for their futures.
In particular, the policy is credited with shifting the responsibility for youth housing issues from individuals to a shared social task that must be addressed by both the local community and the administration.
This affordable rental housing policy, first implemented by Hwasun County, involves the county leasing private rental units and subleasing them to young people aged 18 to 49 and newlyweds at a monthly rent of just 10,000 won.
From 2023 to 2025, a total of 300 units have been supplied, with 100 units provided each year. Residents sign an initial two-year contract, with the option to renew up to two times if eligibility requirements are maintained, allowing for a maximum stay of six years.
Jo Mihwa, Director of Population and Youth Policy, stated, "Innovation drives further innovation, changing the world and enriching people's lives. We will do our utmost to make Hwasun County the leading hub of innovation in Korea through the affordable rental housing policy and various other innovative initiatives."
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