<h1>Housing and Social Innovation: The Value of Homes for All</h1>

 I lived with my parents until I finished university, and in 2011, when I started my first job, I finally began living independently. In Korea, many young people live with their parents to save on living and housing costs, and I was no different. But once I became a working adult, I started looking for a small place where I could live on my own. (Since I lived outside of Seoul, I still remember traveling up for several days just to find a room.)

 

After much searching, I finally managed to rent a small studio apartment — a one-room space where the kitchen, bedroom, and living area were all combined. A few years later, I moved to another rental, then eventually managed to get a small lease with help from my parents. Later, when I got married, I moved into a larger apartment with my husband, much bigger than what I could afford alone.

 

That was about 15 years ago. Even back then, housing in Seoul was expensive, and for a young professional like me, paying monthly rent was overwhelming. About one-third of my income went to rent alone. By the time I added transportation and food, my expenses were often equal to or even greater than my income. On months when I couldn’t make it, I would quietly ask my parents for help. Saving money or imagining a future seemed almost impossible. Back then, I often thought, “I’ll never be able to get married — I have no money and no home.” (I did get married, thanks to both sides of our parents’ help😅)

 

Korea Social Housing Association is working to promote the supply and growth of social housing.(Photo credit: Korea Social Housing Association website)

If Only Social Housing Had Existed Back Then…

 

Social housing refers to affordable, stable housing provided primarily for single-person households, young people, and other vulnerable groups struggling with housing costs. It is usually supplied and managed by social economy organizations.

 

In Korea, housing is often viewed as an investment asset. Social housing challenges this perspective by focusing on homes as secure living spaces rather than speculative property. For those who cannot find a place to live or who are burdened by high rents, social housing provides a much-needed alternative.

 

Korea’s first formal social housing initiatives began around 2015. Though it has only been about 10 years, and it is not yet a mainstream model familiar to everyone, awareness has grown, and more people are beginning to live in social housing today.

 

Social Housing with Public Purpose and Social Value

 

The definition of social housing can vary, but generally, it is characterized by low rent, pursuit of social goals, and limited profit. Most projects are run by social economy actors rather than by landlords seeking maximum profit.

 

When I rented private housing, the main goal was landlord profit. But social housing is designed around stability and community building. Tenants are able to live at reasonable costs while also experiencing social connections and a stable environment. In this sense, it is more than just a low-cost rental — it is a sustainable, community-centered housing model.

 

Social Housing Is Built Around People

 

At its core, social housing is about people. It addresses social challenges by embedding care and sustainability into the way homes are supplied and managed.

 

Affordable supply : The first and most important feature is that social housing provides stable homes at lower costs, reducing financial burdens for residents.

 

Community connections : Unlike typical urban rentals where people only use their rooms to sleep, social housing encourages interaction among neighbors and fosters a sense of belonging. I believe this has positive emotional benefits. Considering Korea has the highest suicide rate in the OECD, this kind of community support could be crucial.

Filling care gaps : As Korea faces low birth rates, aging populations, and rising demand for care services, social housing can also play a role in addressing gaps in childcare, elder care, and community support. Shared spaces and community activities allow residents to create small networks of mutual care.

 

A Path Toward Reducing Housing Inequality

 

Can social housing help address Korea’s housing inequality? I think it can. While speculative property investment has driven prices higher, leaving young people and vulnerable groups behind, social housing provides a more balanced model that delivers stability, community, and sustainability at the same time.

 

From a social innovation perspective, social housing is not just about construction or rental business. It is an experiment in reshaping how we live. As society becomes more individualistic and disconnected, many social problems emerge. But if social housing continues to expand, it could foster coexistence, looser but warmer community ties, and more human-centered ways of living.

 

In Korea, discussions and forums on expanding social housing are growing. If these efforts continue, social housing can become a widely accessible option — one that places people at the center of healthy, sustainable living.