Gangwon Secures 108.1 Billion Won Housing Welfare Budget... Launches "Gangwon-style Housing Welfare Policy"

Gangwon Province Significantly Strengthens "Gangwon-style Housing Safety Net"
Youth Monthly Rent Support Program Becomes Permanent
Regional Legal Advisory Panels for Rental Fraud Victims to Be Operated

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) will officially launch the "Gangwon-style Housing Welfare Policy" in 2026 to ensure residential stability for its residents. The province plans to establish a "three-pronged housing safety net" that will reduce residents' housing costs, improve living conditions, and protect them from risks such as rental fraud.

A view of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government

On January 13, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced that it has allocated a total housing welfare budget of 108.1 billion won for 2026, including 89.3 billion won in national funding, and will focus its efforts on customized support for young people, newlyweds, and low-income households.

The most notable change is the transition of the youth monthly rent support program into a permanent initiative.

Previously, this program was scheduled to run temporarily until 2027. Now, it will operate without a set end date, providing continuous monthly rental support of up to 200,000 won for up to two years to low-income, non-homeowning young people living independently from their parents.

Interest support for newlyweds will also continue. Newlyweds who have been married for less than seven years, have a combined annual income of 80 million won or less, and do not own a home will receive support for the repayment of interest on their rental loans. Up to 3.0% annual interest on loan balances of up to 100 million won will be supported for two years, with applications opening in June.

Housing benefits (rental subsidies) for low-income households will be significantly increased. Monthly rent support for households with an income at or below 48% of the median will be raised by up to 39,000 won per household compared to the previous year. As a result, single-person households will receive 212,000 won, four-person households 329,000 won, and six-person households up to 402,000 won.

For homeowners, repair costs of up to 16.01 million won will be supported depending on the age and condition of the house. Through the province's own "Gangwon-style Maintenance Housing Benefit" program, households with an income at or below 50% of the median will receive up to 4 million won per household for home repairs such as wallpapering, flooring, and boiler replacement.

Measures to prevent rental fraud will also be strengthened. The province will establish and operate regional legal advisory panels for rental fraud victims in Chuncheon, Wonju, and Gangneung on a permanent basis. The previous system, which provided consultations only twice a year, will be replaced with a year-round system so that victims can receive expert assistance at any time.

In addition, the province will provide up to 400,000 won in support for rental deposit return guarantee fees. Especially for low-income households and newlyweds, the application process for guarantee fee support will be automated, eliminating the need for separate procedures.

Kim Sunha, Director of Architecture at Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "We will continue to do our utmost to ensure the seamless implementation of housing welfare policies and to meet the diverse and growing housing welfare needs of our residents."