Goyang City's Revolutionary Housing Safety Net: From Goshiwons to Hope - A Comprehensive Support System That's Changing Lives

## Goyang City's Housing Revolution: Breaking Free from Cramped Living Spaces

Did you know that in South Korea, thousands of people still live in tiny rooms called goshiwons, originally designed for students preparing for civil service exams? These spaces, often no bigger than a small closet, have become home to many vulnerable citizens who cannot afford proper housing. But Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province is changing this reality with an innovative approach that's gaining national attention.

The city has implemented what they call the 'Goyang-type Housing Upward Support Project,' a comprehensive welfare system that doesn't just provide temporary relief but creates lasting change. Over the past three years, this program has successfully relocated 236 households from goshiwons, semi-basements, and other substandard accommodations to proper rental housing. What makes this program truly remarkable is not just the numbers, but the dramatic improvement in residents' quality of life - satisfaction scores jumped from 2.80 to 8.15 out of 10 after relocation.

This transformation represents more than just a change of address; it's a complete reimagining of how local governments can address housing inequality. Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang City emphasized that housing is not just about welfare, but about human rights, stating that the city aims to create a place where everyone can live without worrying about their foundation being shaken.

## Understanding Korea's Housing Crisis: The Goshiwon Reality

To appreciate the significance of Goyang City's initiative, international readers need to understand the unique housing challenges in South Korea. Goshiwons were originally small study rooms where students would live while preparing for competitive exams. However, rising housing costs and limited affordable options have transformed these spaces into permanent residences for many low-income individuals.

These rooms, typically measuring just 3-4 square meters, often lack proper windows, cooking facilities, or private bathrooms. Residents share communal spaces and live in conditions that would be considered substandard in most developed countries. The situation has become so widespread that it's recognized as a significant social issue requiring government intervention.

Semi-basements, known as 'banjiha' in Korean, present another housing challenge. Made famous internationally by the Oscar-winning film Parasite, these below-ground apartments are prone to flooding and mold issues but remain popular due to their lower rent. Goyang City's program specifically targets residents of both goshiwons and banjiha apartments, offering them a pathway to better living conditions.

## The Goyang Model: How It Actually Works

The heart of Goyang's success lies in its comprehensive support system that goes far beyond simply providing new housing. The program introduces 'Housing Upward Coordinators' who personally accompany residents through every step of the relocation process - from finding suitable housing to signing contracts and physically moving.

Financial support is substantial and practical: residents receive up to 400,000 won (approximately $300) for moving expenses and up to 700,000 won worth of essential household items. This initial settlement support addresses one of the biggest barriers that prevent people from moving out of substandard housing - the upfront costs of relocation.

In the first half of 2025 alone, 46 households completed their relocation, including 21 from semi-basements, 17 from goshiwons, and 2 from domestic violence situations. The city aims to support over 60 households by the end of the year. What sets this program apart is its holistic approach - it's not just about moving people, but ensuring they can successfully establish new lives in better conditions.

## Emergency Housing: The 'Goyang Hope Plus Housing' Initiative

Recognizing that some situations require immediate intervention, Goyang City operates the 'Goyang Hope Plus Housing' program alongside their main relocation initiative. This emergency housing program provides temporary accommodation for up to six months for households facing crisis situations such as domestic violence, forced eviction, fires, or flooding.

From 2022 to 2024, this program provided temporary housing for 15 households in crisis situations. In 2025, the city expanded the program by securing four additional rental units through cooperation with LH (Korea Land & Housing Corporation), demonstrating the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing housing emergencies.

One success story that exemplifies the program's effectiveness involves a household that lost their home due to flooding. They were provided temporary housing and then successfully transitioned to LH purchased rental housing, achieving stable long-term accommodation. This case is now considered a model example of how emergency housing can serve as a bridge to permanent solutions.

## Mobile Counseling: Bringing Services to the People

Understanding that many vulnerable residents may not know about available services or face barriers in accessing them, Goyang City operates a 'Mobile Housing Welfare Counseling Center.' This innovative service brings housing consultations directly to communities, operating through 44 local administrative welfare centers, district offices, social welfare organizations, and partnerships with LH and the Korea Real Estate Board.

In the first half of 2025, this mobile service conducted over 200 consultations. The most common inquiries were about rental housing applications, followed by housing environment improvements and rental dispute resolution. This data helps the city understand the most pressing housing concerns in their community and adjust their services accordingly.

A particularly noteworthy initiative was the special counseling center established at Joongbu University campus to prevent rental disputes among young people. This program combined information about public housing options with education about rental contract precautions, addressing the specific vulnerabilities of young renters. The university-based approach demonstrates how housing welfare services can be tailored to reach specific demographic groups where they naturally gather.

## Customized Home Improvement: Beyond Just Housing

Goyang City recognizes that stable housing involves more than just having a roof over one's head - the quality and safety of that housing matter enormously. Their comprehensive approach includes various home improvement programs targeting specific vulnerable groups.

The 'Disabled Persons Housing Modification Project' provides up to 3.8 million won per household for installing accessible features like open-type sinks and safety handrails for families earning below the average urban worker's income. Eight households are scheduled to benefit from this program in 2025.

Other specialized programs include the 'Children's Housing Poverty Household Clean Service' for families living in semi-basements or rooftops, the 'Senior Housing Project' for installing safety features like non-slip surfaces and safety bars, and the 'Sunshine Housing Project' for improving energy efficiency in homes of households earning below 50% of median income. Additionally, through partnership with the Gyeonggi Province chapter of the Korea Housing Construction Association, 10 households receive comprehensive home repairs including wallpaper, flooring, and sink replacements annually.

## Innovation in Housing Education: The Life Home Repair Classroom

Starting in September 2025, Goyang City launched an innovative 'Life Home Repair Classroom' program, securing 20 million won in funding through a Gyeonggi Province competition. This program represents a shift from simply providing services to empowering residents with skills and knowledge.

The program offers basic home repair education for general citizens, along with specialized one-day programs designed for single-person households and female-headed households - groups that often face particular challenges in home maintenance. This educational approach addresses a long-term need: teaching people to maintain and improve their living spaces independently.

This initiative reflects a broader understanding that sustainable housing welfare involves building community capacity, not just providing temporary assistance. By teaching practical skills, the program helps residents maintain their improved living conditions and potentially assist others in their communities.

## Community Response and Social Media Buzz

Korean online communities have responded positively to Goyang City's comprehensive approach to housing welfare. On platforms like theqoo, Nate Pann, and Instiz, users frequently praise the city's practical and human-centered approach.

Positive comments highlight the program's comprehensiveness: 'Finally, a government program that actually follows through from start to finish' and 'The coordinator system is genius - people need guidance, not just money.' Many users appreciate the dignity-preserving aspects of the program, noting that recipients aren't just given charity but are supported through a proper transition process.

Some critical voices on DC Inside and eFMKorea question whether such programs create dependency or whether they're sustainable long-term. However, the overwhelming response is positive, with many users calling for their own local governments to implement similar programs. The high satisfaction rate of 95.9% for relocation support services suggests that recipients themselves view the program very favorably.

## The Broader Impact: A Model for Korea and Beyond

Goyang City's housing welfare model is gaining recognition beyond its borders. The comprehensive nature of their approach - combining immediate housing solutions, emergency support, mobile counseling, customized improvements, and educational programs - creates a template that other cities are beginning to study and adapt.

The program's success lies not just in moving people from poor housing to better housing, but in creating a systematic approach to housing stability that addresses multiple barriers simultaneously. The 'Housing Upward Coordinator' role, in particular, represents an innovative approach to social services that recognizes the complexity of life transitions.

International observers interested in housing policy can learn from Goyang's integrated approach. Rather than treating housing as a standalone issue, the city addresses it as part of a broader framework of social welfare that includes emergency support, education, community outreach, and long-term stability planning. This holistic model offers insights for other cities grappling with housing affordability and quality issues.

## Looking Forward: Sustainability and Expansion

As Goyang City continues to expand its housing welfare programs, questions about sustainability and scalability become increasingly important. The city's approach of building partnerships with organizations like LH, the Korea Housing Construction Association, and educational institutions suggests a model that could be replicated elsewhere.

The program's emphasis on data collection and continuous improvement - tracking satisfaction rates, counseling demand, and program outcomes - provides a foundation for evidence-based policy development. This systematic approach to program evaluation ensures that services can be refined and improved over time.

For international readers interested in social policy innovation, Goyang City's housing welfare system demonstrates how local governments can create comprehensive support systems that address complex social challenges. The combination of immediate practical assistance, systemic support, and community education offers a model for addressing housing inequality that goes beyond traditional welfare approaches.