Gwangyang City Aims to Become a "City Where Youth Settle" Through Youth Housing Policies

Customized Housing Support for Everyone from Job Seekers to Newlyweds and Families with Multiple Children

Gwangyang City in South Jeolla Province is implementing customized housing support policies tailored to different life stages to help young people settle down stably, moving beyond being a "city where youth stay" to becoming a "city where youth put down roots."

The city is focusing on alleviating the housing cost burden for young people, from job seekers and new employees to newlyweds and families with multiple children, and on establishing a foundation for long-term residency in the region through a range of housing support programs.

Youth Housing Policy Promotional Material from Gwangyang City. Provided by Gwangyang City.

The key feature of Gwangyang City's youth housing policy is its structure, which combines city-funded programs with national and provincial short-term support projects to encourage long-term settlement among young people.

■ Four Major Housing Support Programs by Life Stage

Gwangyang City operates a total of four housing support programs, allowing young residents to choose according to their housing type and stage of life. Each program has different eligibility criteria, support methods, and periods, forming a tailored housing support system.

All housing support programs are run on the principle of "one-time support per lifetime" to ensure fairness in policy benefits. Therefore, if someone has already received support from one of the four major programs, overlapping support from another program is restricted.

However, while the Youth Monthly Rent Support Program and the Housing Cost Support for Employed Youth Program cannot be received simultaneously, it is possible to apply for the other program sequentially after one ends.

The city guides applicants to carefully check the detailed eligibility requirements, such as housing price and income standards, and to select and apply for the program that fits their housing stage. It also recommends consulting with relevant departments in advance for a smooth application process.

■ Gwangyang Youth Housing Loan Interest Support Program

The "Gwangyang Youth Housing Loan Interest Support Program" is the city’s flagship housing policy, launched in 2018 using its own budget, and was the first of its kind among local governments nationwide.

The city provides up to 3 million won per year in interest support for home purchase loans for up to 10 years, and up to 2 million won per year in interest support for jeonse (lump-sum deposit rental) or rental loans for up to 8 years, helping young people establish a long-term residential foundation.

Through this program, the city has provided interest support for housing loans to 1,501 young people to date, helping them secure stable housing.

Notably, young people are free to choose the homes they want, and for families with multiple children, the area and income requirements have been eliminated, significantly expanding practical housing options. The program features year-round applications and monthly interest support.

■ Housing Cost Support Program for Employed Youth

The "Housing Cost Support Program for Employed Youth" is a provincial subsidy program aimed at easing the initial settlement burden for young adults entering the workforce. It provides up to 200,000 won per month for up to 12 months to youth aged 18 to 45 residing in Gwangyang City, who live in jeonse or monthly rental housing with income below a certain threshold.

Applications are accepted around March each year, and the final recipients are confirmed in May. Selected youth receive housing cost support on a quarterly basis.

The city is implementing this program to support young people in their initial settlement and, to date, has provided housing cost support to 406 young people.

■ Youth Monthly Rent Support Program

The "Youth Monthly Rent Support Program" is a government initiative aimed at alleviating the housing cost burden for young people facing economic difficulties due to rising rent and job market challenges. It targets non-homeowning youth aged 19 to 34 who live separately from their parents and meet income and asset requirements, providing up to 200,000 won per month for a maximum of 24 months.

Participants are recruited and selected between March and May, with results announced in September. The support payments are retroactively provided from May.

Through this program, the city has supported 444 young people with monthly rent payments, helping to relieve their housing cost burden.

■ Nest Support Program for Newlyweds and Families with Multiple Children

The "Nest Support Program for Newlyweds and Families with Multiple Children" is a provincial subsidy initiative to help young people secure stable housing after marriage and childbirth. Eligible households must have all members registered in South Jeolla Province, be non-homeowners, and purchase a home in Gwangyang City for 600 million won or less between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.

Furthermore, households that pass the relevant loan reviews from Korea Housing Finance Corporation, Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG), or banks (such as for the Didimdol loan) can apply without area restrictions. Newlyweds must both be under 49 years old and have registered their marriage within seven years before the loan application date. For families with multiple children, there is no age limit for the parents, but as of the loan application date, they must have at least two minor children, with at least one under the age of 12.

The program offers up to 3 million won per year for a maximum of 36 months. Applications are accepted around September each year.

Through this program, the city has supported 440 households of newlyweds and families with multiple children, helping them secure stable housing.

■ Population Growth and Higher Birth Rates: Policy Effectiveness Confirmed

Gwangyang City's housing support policies are also leading to improved demographic indicators. The city has recorded population growth for four consecutive years, with a steady inflow of young people aged 27 to 34, the prime age for employment.

The stable settlement of young people has also led to a rebound in the birth rate, with Gwangyang City recording a total fertility rate of 1.38 (provisional) as of December 2025. This is analyzed as the result of a virtuous cycle of "youth settlement and population growth."

■ "A City Chosen by Youth": Policy Expansion Continues

To enhance policy effectiveness, Gwangyang City conducts annual satisfaction surveys for the Youth Housing Loan Interest Support Program and collects on-site feedback. Based on this, the city continues to improve its youth housing policy by extending support periods, relaxing income criteria, improving standards for families with multiple children, and expanding partner banks, all from a demand-centered perspective.

A Gwangyang City official stated, "The most important foundation for young people to settle down stably is housing," and added, "We will continue to provide practical support tailored to each stage of young people's lives, making Gwangyang a city that young people choose and settle in."

Meanwhile, alongside direct support such as interest and monthly rent subsidies, Gwangyang City is working to expand affordable public housing options compared to private apartments. The city is currently promoting the construction of the "Gwangyang Happy Town Premium Youth Rental Housing," accelerating efforts to ensure stable housing for young people.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.