Abstract
This study evaluates the spatial conditions of the residential environment in welfare housing built for low-income, single-parent (LISP) families in South Korea to reveal the significant residential environmental (RE) design criteria concerning housing quality and family well-being. The primary data were analyzed by surveying 30 housing directors from 29 welfare residences, in conjunction with facility visits and interviews. The survey data were supplemented by interviewing 11 stakeholders, including government institute officials, project architects, and former residents who exited the program. A statistical analysis examined the RE quality in relation to building and resident features. Most respondents reported insufficient physical quality, specifically due to inappropriate units in size and number; poor indoor noise control; and substandard unit rooms, children’s rooms, and outdoor spaces. Furthermore, adequate rooms, family privacy, and a pleasant indoor environment (i.e., noise barrier, thermal comfort) were the most critical spatial design criteria. Particularly, the aforementioned housing environmental attributes were found to be different depending on a building’s construction year and type, householder type and age, and children’s age. Practical and methodological implications and future research directions are discussed to elevate the housing quality and sustainable well-being in welfare housing.
Highlights
Low-income, single-parent (LISP) families receiving basic living support from the government constitute a growing share of South Korea’s low-income households [1]
To mitigate the housing instability faced by LISP families, the South Korean Ministry of Women Equity and Family initiated a unique housing support program—the Welfare Housing Subsidy Program—that selects eligible LISP families with severe housing deprivation and offers them a transitionary, short-term residence combined with social services provided by in-house social service workers [10]
Welfare residences are concentrated in urban zones, for the sake of convenience, and generally managed by welfare agencies and supervised by national and local welfare municipalities and housing authorities who are involved in selecting welfare housing recipients and providing rent subsidies and facility operation fees [12]
Summary
Low-income, single-parent (LISP) families receiving basic living support from the government constitute a growing share of South Korea’s low-income households [1]. Welfare housing for LISP families is classified on the basis of the householders’ gender and marital status, and whether households share housing units or each household dwells in a separate unit [21]. The reason for such classification is mostly the convenience and efficiency of family case-management and social service delivery [25]. Residences for separated or widowed single mothers and fathers are classified under such cases [21]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
