“Hapcheon County Bets on Housing Innovation to Attract Residents”

Hapcheon County in South Gyeongsang Province is set to actively implement customized housing policies for both young people and the elderly in response to structural crises such as population decline and rapid aging.

Hapcheon County has designated "housing innovation" as its core response strategy, as its population recently dropped below 40,000 and the proportion of residents aged 65 and over has reached 47.6%, intensifying the risk of regional extinction.

[Photo provided by Hapcheon County] Perspective view of the happy housing for young newlywed couples

원본보기 아이콘

In particular, as there has been no new housing supply except for single-family homes in the past five years, and more than 70% of homes are aged, the deterioration of residential conditions continues, making it urgent to expand the housing base.

To prevent the outflow of young people and encourage them to settle in the region, the county is pursuing the construction of Happy Housing. The project, with a total investment of 13.3 billion won, will consist of a six-story building with 20 units of 38 square meters and 10 units of 70 square meters. Move-in is targeted for August, and tenant selection is scheduled to be announced on April 30, with young people and newlywed couples as the main beneficiaries.

In addition, the county is promoting a youth public rental housing project worth 14 billion won (scheduled for completion in 2027) and the "Youth Spec Dream Center" (scheduled for completion in 2028).

In particular, the Youth Spec Dream Center will be built as a multipurpose complex that combines residential space with startup support, job information services, and networking functions, thereby strengthening the foundation for young people to settle in the region.

Housing policies for the elderly will also proceed in parallel. The county is promoting the construction of welfare housing for the elderly, consisting of 116 units and scheduled for completion in 2028. These homes will feature barrier-free designs, such as the removal of thresholds and installation of safety handles, and will also house facilities like a senior dining hall, physical therapy room, and health management room, integrating residential and care functions.

[Photo by Hapcheon County] Youth Public Rental Housing Perspective Drawing

원본보기 아이콘

Additionally, through the "Region-Proposed Specialized Public Rental Housing" project selected by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a generational integration housing complex of about 100 units will be developed near Hapcheon Station. This complex is designed to house young people, newlyweds, retirees, and returnees to rural areas together, with the aim of promoting intergenerational exchange and restoring community bonds.

Hapcheon County plans to invest several billion won in these housing policies, including the Regional Extinction Response Fund and county funds. The county sees this not as simple welfare spending, but as a proactive investment to attract population and revitalize the local economy.

However, establishing an efficient system for operation and management after the large-scale public rental housing is supplied, as well as preparing community programs to help residents settle into the local community, remain as future challenges.

A county official stated, "Housing is the starting point for settlement and local vitality. We will make Hapcheon a better place to live by supplying customized homes that reflect the characteristics of both young people and the elderly."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.