The province has officially announced its plan to build public rental housing in the Jeju Citizen Welfare Town. Governor Won Heeryong himself unveiled the plan including home sizes and monthly rents.
Mike Laidman reports.
[Slug] Jeju Citizen Welfare Town - Donam-dong, Aug.3

This is the Jeju Citizen Welfare Town - the site chosen for the public rental apartments.

The local government recently announced it would build about 1,200 public housing units on the 44,000 square meter parcel of land.

The proposed buildings would be 10 stories tall, with 3 underground levels.

The project includes 700 apartment units in the ‘Happy Home’ building, as well as 80 ‘Silver Home’ units for the elderly.

Another 420 rental units will be available to the general public.
The Happy Home is for students, newlyweds, and families with two or more children. It features three unit types: studio, two room, or 82 square meter units.

Deposits are set at 27 million won, with monthly rent about 100,000 won. The province is considering subsidizing between 50-100 percent of the deposit.

The rental contract period is 6 years, but local officials are reviewing a possible extension of up to 20 years.

The 420-unit Public Rental Homes will be sold to renters after five years of leasing.
They will be 82 square meters in size and primarily for families who don’t already own a house.

[Slug] Buildings to cover 30% of site

The permitted building-to-land ratio for the site is 60 percent, but the island is planning on covering only 30 percent of the site with apartments and leaving the other 70 percent green.

There will be enough facilities for all cars to park underground.

[Slug] Public facilities housed on floors 1, 2

Instead of shops or restaurants, kindergartens and gyms will be located on the first and second floors.

The province says it chose the Jeju Citizen Welfare Town for its public housing plan so that young residents and families who don’t have a house can have a more convenient commute as well as educational, cultural, and welfare benefits.


Won Heeryong / Governor
We chose Donam-dong for the project mainly due to the convenient access to services for young couples, students, and families who don’t own houses.
원희룡 제주특별자치도지사
그만큼 젊은 층과 서민에게 직장과 교통의 여건이 좋고 교육, 문화복지의 모든 여건들이 가장 좋은 곳에 무주택 서민들이 들어가는 이런 사회적 의미가 더 중요하다고 봤기 때문에...

[Slug] Public housing plan included among August national projects?

The public housing construction plan is expected to be included among the country’s national projects this month.

Comprehensive plans will be made by the end of the year and officials will seek input from the public.

When the project plans are finalized, construction will begin at the end of next year and finish at the end of 2019. Area residents and landowners near the planned site support the island’s plan.


O Jae-cheon / Representative, Donam-dong residents
We need a special team to avoid conflict between the government and area residents. Do you have a plan to create such a team? (Of course, we do).
오재천 도남발전위원회 위원장
마찰을 피하기 위해서는 상시적으로 임시기구가 필요하지 않겠느냐… TF팀이라도 만들 구상을 갖고 계신지... (당연히 그렇게 해야죠)


Jeong Su-yeon / Professor, JNU
If the number of public rental apartments is too dense, the area will be in danger of becoming isolated. Easy access to services and nearby businesses is essential.
전화인터뷰)정수연 제주대 교수
임대주택이 한쪽에 몰려 있으면 반드시 고립의 위험이 있습니다. 항상 수많은 사람들이 모이고 이용할 수 있게, 활황된 상권처럼 보이게끔 해 줘야 하거든요...

[Reporter] Mike Laidman [Camera] Moon Ho-seong

Many islanders are interested in this housing project because the rental units will be located in the heart of Jeju City. Add in reasonable rental rates, and many hope the project will help to slow the surging real estate market.

Mike Laidman, KCTV