Cheongyang County Seeks Tenants for “10,000 Won Rent” Vacant House Connection Housing

Local Extinction Response Fund Invested
Abandoned Rural Homes Converted into Settlement-Oriented Rental Housing for Young People, Newlyweds, and Rural Returnees

Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province is expanding its “10,000 Won Housing” initiative, which renovates abandoned rural homes and offers them for rent at 10,000 won (approximately $8) per month. This settlement-oriented housing model is being actively implemented for young people, newlyweds, and those relocating to rural areas, directly targeting housing costs-the biggest barrier to stemming population decline in the region.

On January 14, Cheongyang County announced that it will provide a total of three units of the 10,000 Won Rental Housing this year through the “Vacant House Connection Project,” utilizing the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Local Extinction Response Fund.

Under this scheme, the county leases long-abandoned rural homes free of charge, reinforces their structures, and renovates the interiors. The homes are then re-leased to young people, newlyweds, and rural returnees or migrants at a monthly rent of 10,000 won without a security deposit.

The three homes being offered this time are located in Sindae-ri, Ungok-myeon; Songbang-ri, Cheongyang-eup; and Onjik-ri, Namyang-myeon.

The maximum lease term is three years, renewable annually, minimizing housing insecurity during the initial settlement period. The county explained, “Our core goal is to reduce the time and cost of securing a home, so that people can establish themselves in Cheongyang first.”

Applications for residency will be accepted from January 20 to 29. Eligible applicants include: ▲ young people aged 18 to 45; ▲ newlyweds or engaged couples who have registered their marriage within the past seven years or plan to marry within three months; ▲ rural returnees or migrants who have moved to Cheongyang within the past five years (or plan to do so) after living in an urban area for at least one year.

Applications can be submitted in person or by mail, and detailed requirements and housing information are available on the county office’s website.

On January 20, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the county will host a “House Viewing Day,” allowing prospective tenants to tour all three 10,000 Won Housing units in person.

Those interested in moving in can check the location, layout, and living conditions on-site before deciding whether to apply.

A county official stated, “Reducing the burden of housing costs is key to helping young people and rural returnees settle down. This policy addresses both the vacant house problem and the challenge of attracting new residents at the same time.”