Suwon City Supports Residents in Non-Standard Housing to Relocate to Public Rental Apartments

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City announced on the 19th that it will implement the "2021 Housing Quality Improvement Support Project for Residents in Housing-Vulnerable Situations," which supports citizens living in "non-standard housing" such as banjibangs (very small rooms) and goshiwons (study rooms for test preparation) to relocate to public rental apartments.

The project is being promoted after the city was selected as a leading local government in the "2021 Housing Quality Improvement Support Project for Residents in Housing-Vulnerable Situations" public recruitment organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The project comprehensively supports non-standard housing residents in moving to public rental apartments and helps them become self-sufficient and settle in after relocation.

Support targets include people who have resided in banjibangs, goshiwons, and similar housing for at least three months and meet the following criteria: ▲household income at or below 50% of the previous year's average monthly income for urban workers ▲total assets of 28 million won or less ▲vehicle value of 24.99 million won or less, with a total of 100 people to be selected.

The city plans to operate "visiting on-site consultation centers" to identify eligible individuals in welfare blind spots. Professional counselors will conduct one-on-one consultations with targets and provide information on public rental apartment occupancy.

To prevent non-standard housing residents who wish to relocate from giving up on public rental apartment occupancy, the city plans to provide detailed guidance on application methods and operate "housing search assistant" and "occupancy assistant" programs.

The city will also operate temporary housing for targets who may have gaps in housing before occupancy and provide support for deposit money, household items, and moving expenses.

Support continues after occupancy in public rental apartments. The city will connect occupants with self-reliance and welfare services to help them settle well and will also support mental health and community programs.

Non-standard housing residents wishing to relocate to public rental apartments can apply by visiting their respective district administrative welfare centers.

"Non-standard housing" includes banjibangs, goshiwons, inns, vinyl houses, and containers that fail to meet housing standards.

The city also implemented the Housing Quality Improvement Support Project for Residents in Housing-Vulnerable Situations last year, achieving results by moving 64 households from non-standard housing to public rental apartments. There were 936 relocation consultations and 104 relocation applications.

Ki Woo-jin, director of Suwon City's Urban Policy Division, said, "We will support temporary housing for residents in housing-vulnerable situations facing difficulties due to COVID-19 and support non-standard housing residents with 'housing quality improvement,'" adding, "We will make every effort to support residents in housing-vulnerable situations."