Critics say that the government needs to expand its youth policy, including the distribution of social housing for young people. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent survey has revealed that 1 out of 3 young households were found to be living under poor housing conditions, in lodging that fell short of the government’s minimum residential standards.
According to a study conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, 8.9 percent of 233 household owners aged between 19 to 34 were living below the minimum residential standards and 24.7 percent were overburdened with housing costs as of 2017.
Furthermore, 33.1 percent of young adults were suffering from the housing shortage and deprived of housing, living in houses that did not meet the minimum standards in addition to being burdened with housing costs.
Households that do not meet the minimum housing standards are those that do not meet any of the government’s basic housing standards, such as the area of residence and the number of rooms used by the household.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the minimum residential standard for a single household is 14 square meters, and for a couple, a 26 square meter house with a dining room and a kitchen is the minimum standard.
Housing rents accounting for more than 20 percent of monthly income are considered an excessive burden.
Based on the results of the study, men were more likely to be house deprived than women.
The study also revealed that those with lower academic backgrounds, single low-income households with two or more people, and residents of large cities were more likely to suffer from house poverty.
Critics say that the government needs to expand its youth policy, including the distribution of social housing for young people.
According to 2015 statistics, the share of the nation’s public rental housing supply stood at 6.4 percent, significantly lower than that of major advanced countries, the report noted.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
