A shantytown in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – Experts are calling for updated housing policies for socially vulnerable groups, who are being exposed to the risk of COVID-19 infection as they live in shabby studio apartments or struggle with low incomes.
The state-funded Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements recently formed a task force to publish a compilation of reports on various studies and policy analyses following the coronavirus outbreak.
The book points out that socially vulnerable groups tend to live in small, concentrated spaces which makes it difficult for them to adhere to social distancing rules.
Many of them still use shared, squat toilets, making it impossible to avoid physical contact with neighbors.
These homes fall short of meeting the minimum housing standards, are categorized as non-dwellings, or are too expensive in proportion to how much the residents earn.
“There are still more than 1 million households in the country who live below the minimum housing standard,” the book said.
More than 250,000 single-person households living in private real estate are incapable of affording monthly rent if they become unemployed, while 160,000 households can cover rent for only six months, and 270,000 can afford to pay rent for no longer than 12 months.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
