A heated exchange over the rental housing ratio and deregulation at a major housing supply forum

On the 14th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a discussion forum at Jeongdong 1928 Art Center in Junggu, Seoul, on ways to expand housing supply. About 50 people, including experts and citizens, attended the event and discussed ways to expand public rental housing, improve the supply of nonapartment housing, and resolve conflicts with local governments. During the discussion, there was also pushback against the claims by the construction industry and Seoul Metropolitan Government that the mandatory rental housing ratio should be lowered during reconstruction and redevelopment. Some attendees pointed out that the discussion was proceeding without sufficient presentation of the direction of public housing policy and the government roadmap. There were also opinions that outdated floorcount regulations should be revised to increase the supply of nonapartment housing, and suggestions that idle urban land such as quasiindustrial zones or undeveloped housing sites should be utilized. On the other hand, civil society emphasized the need to expand the rental share of public housing, bolster the Housing and Urban Fund, and strengthen deposit regulations to prevent jeonse fraud.