The Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) has announced that it will recruit residents for its 12th round of Steady Jeonse Housing, offering a total of 900 units in urban areas of the Seoul metropolitan region, including Seoul, Incheon, and Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province, as well as Busan. This recruitment marks the largest scale in the history of HUG’s announcements, and any member of a household without home ownership is eligible to apply. There is no worry about not receiving the jeonse (deposit) back, and residents can live at approximately 90% of the surrounding market rate, making it highly popular. Interest from those with genuine housing needs is extremely high, as the previous recruitment recorded an immense competition ratio. Since the beginning of this year, HUG has released over 3,100 units to actively support housing stability for the general public. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the specific supply areas, application periods, and eligibility requirements for the Steady Jeonse Housing program, which has returned on its largest scale yet.
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HUG Steady Jeonse Housing: 900 Units Supplied in Seoul Metro Area and Busan, Largest Scale in History
1. Background and Locations of the Largest Supply in History
The 12th round of Steady Jeonse Housing recruitment announced by HUG includes a total of 900 units, setting a new record for the highest number in a single announcement. Compared to numerous previous recruitment announcements, this supply is undoubtedly a welcome relief for low-income households without homes. The main supply areas include the core urban centers of the Seoul metropolitan area, such as Seoul, Incheon, and Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province, as well as Busan. HUG operates this program by directly purchasing homes where it has repaid the jeonse deposit on behalf of the tenant and then resupplying them to households without homes. In a situation where fears of jeonse fraud and non-return of deposits still linger in the housing market, these publicly purchased rental homes are considered the best alternative. In fact, the 11th recruitment conducted in July recorded an average competition ratio of 165 to 1, proving the intense enthusiasm. For young people and newlyweds without homes who dream of owning their own home, this supply of 900 units will be a vital opportunity. HUG has set a goal to supply a total of 3,100 units of Steady Jeonse Housing this year and is steadily releasing the units. This represents a massive expansion, doubling the total supply of 1,800 units achieved last year.
HUG is supplying a record-breaking 900 units of Steady Jeonse Housing in the Seoul metropolitan area and Busan to help stabilize housing for low-income households without homes.
2. Eligibility Conditions for Steady Jeonse Housing: Open to All
One of the biggest advantages of Steady Jeonse Housing is the very low barrier to entry regarding application eligibility. Unlike existing public rental housing, it does not impose strict age limits, income criteria, or asset requirements. Any member of a household without home ownership holding Korean nationality can freely apply, significantly lowering the entry barrier. Regardless of whether one has many or few assets, or high or low income, eligibility is granted solely based on the status of not owning a home. For example, not only fresh graduates and university students who have moved from other regions, but also middle-aged and older adults without homes who have a certain level of income have equal opportunities. Since HUG directly manages and supplies the housing, anyone who meets the eligibility requirements goes through a fair lottery or selection process. It is also very convenient for working professionals as there is no need to worry about preparing complex income percentile certificates or asset valuation documents. Thanks to these flexible eligibility conditions, a large number of people without homes flock to each announcement, resulting in fierce competition. It is expected that a large number of applicants will pour in for this 12th recruitment as well, partly due to the relaxed eligibility conditions.
Steady Jeonse Housing boasts exceptional eligibility conditions, allowing any member of a household without home ownership to apply regardless of age, income, or assets.
3. Advantages of Up to 8 Years of Residence and Affordable Rent
The greatest benefit of winning a Steady Jeonse Housing unit is the affordable rent compared to the surrounding market rate and the stable residency period. These homes are supplied at levels of 90% or less of the surrounding jeonse market rate, significantly reducing the financial burden. Unlike typical rental housing where monthly rent must be paid, residents can live in a full jeonse format, making it easier to plan finances. Furthermore, once moved in, residents can live stably for up to 8 years without the worry of moving, which is a major appeal. For low-income households without homes who suffer from soaring jeonse prices and frequent demands for contract renewals, an 8-year residency period provides immense psychological stability. There is no need to worry about deposits skyrocketing every year, and it is an optimal environment for steadily saving seed money for buying a home. Since HUG acts as the landlord, the risk of not receiving the deposit back after the contract period ends is close to zero. Residents can be completely free from the fear of deposit non-return incidents commonly seen in private rental housing, leading to extremely high satisfaction levels.
The biggest advantage is the ability to live safely for up to 8 years without moving worries, with a jeonse deposit at 90% or less of the surrounding market rate.
4. Online Application Methods and Future Schedule
Those hoping to move into the 12th round of Steady Jeonse Housing must apply online conveniently according to the designated schedule. The specific application period is from the 30th of this month to the 12th of next month, and applications must be completed via the internet within this period. Applicants can access the Safe Jeonse Portal homepage operated by HUG to fill out the application form online. There is no need to visit offline community centers or banks; applications can be easily submitted from home using a computer or smartphone. After the application deadline, HUG will conduct strict verification of applicants’ non-homeowner status and other eligibility requirements. Once all qualification verification procedures are completed without issue, the final list of winners is scheduled to be officially announced on December 30th. Since the announcement date falls at the end of the year, it could be the best gift for low-income households without homes around Christmas and New Year’s. Since the application period may be somewhat tight, it is wise to register on the Safe Jeonse Portal homepage in advance and check the necessary documents.
Applications can be made online via the Safe Jeonse Portal from the 30th of this month to the 12th of next month, with the final winners announced on December 30th.
5. HUG’s Role in Stabilizing Housing for the General Public
Including this supply of 900 units, HUG plans to steadily supply a total of 3,100 units of Steady Jeonse Housing throughout this year. This is exactly double the supply record of 1,800 units set last year, representing a significant increase. At a time when instability in the jeonse market is intensifying, it is a meaningful step for a public institution to directly step in and supply safe housing. As the number of safe, publicly purchased homes where there is no worry about losing the deposit increases, the suffering of low-income citizens affected by jeonse fraud can also be alleviated. HUG President Choi In-ho expressed strong determination to continue supplying Steady Jeonse Housing as planned in the future. He stated that they will spare no effort in providing continuous support so that young people without homes and economically vulnerable citizens can live safely and comfortably. These active efforts by public institutions are injecting warmth into the frozen real estate market and serving as a strong pillar for housing-vulnerable groups. Going forward, policies that allow the government and public institutions to cooperate in providing high-quality housing environments to more people without homes should be expanded.
HUG aims to supply 3,100 units this year, double last year’s amount, to fully support housing stability for young people without homes and low-income citizens.
6. Tips for Successful Application and Future Outlook
The most important thing when preparing to apply for Steady Jeonse Housing is to accurately verify your status as a member of a household without home ownership. Since all household members listed on the resident registration certificate must be non-homeowners, you should carefully check your family’s home ownership status in advance. If any household member owns a home, you may be deemed ineligible, so it is strongly recommended to go through a computerized check before submitting your application. Additionally, since fierce competition is expected in popular areas like Seoul or the Seoul metropolitan urban centers, it is advisable to apply early in the application period. These housing support policies by the government and public institutions will continue to serve as a key means of reducing housing cost burdens for low-income citizens without homes. Given the ability to resolve the instability of the jeonse system and enjoy a safe housing environment guaranteed by the public, you should not miss this opportunity. If you prepare calmly according to the schedule starting from the application opening date on the 30th, the possibility of becoming a winner opens up for everyone. Since housing stability is the most important factor in improving quality of life, we encourage you to actively challenge the 12th round of Steady Jeonse Housing recruitment.
You should verify the non-homeowner status of all household members in advance and utilize the early application schedule to achieve a successful application result.
Frequently Asked Questions
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