More than 63% of the six-story permanent rental housing managed by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) lack elevators, raising concerns about accessibility for vulnerable populations, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. As vacant units increase, particularly on higher floors, calls for urgent facility improvements are growing.
On October 12, Rep. Bok Gi-wang of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, revealed data from the Housing Management Corporation indicating that out of 6,336 LH six-story permanent rental units nationwide, 4,032, or 63.6%, do not have elevators. Among these, 1,204 residents aged 65 and older, as well as individuals with disabilities, live on the third floor or higher.
While LH's permanent rental housing is intended primarily for vulnerable groups, some complexes lack elevators, forcing residents with mobility challenges to navigate stairs up to six floors.
The inconvenience caused by the absence of elevators is also reflected in the vacancy rates. Of the 753 vacant units across seven six-story permanent rental complexes without elevators, 393 units, or 52.2%, are located on the fifth and sixth floors. Notably, in the Daejeon Sannae permanent rental housing, 115 out of 132 vacant units, or 87.1%, are situated on the fifth and sixth floors. Among the residents living above the third floor in this complex, 172 are aged 65 and older.
The current "Support Law for Improving the Quality of Life of Long-Term Public Rental Housing Residents" mandates ongoing management responsibilities for the operators of permanent rental housing. However, concerns have been raised about LH's inadequate facility management and housing environment improvements, as aging permanent rental units without elevators remain in service for extended periods.
Rep. Bok stated, "It is unacceptable that seniors in permanent rental housing, designed for vulnerable populations, must climb stairs without elevators, especially when more than half of the vacant units are concentrated on the fifth and sixth floors. We must assess the situation in complexes without elevators and implement measures to alleviate mobility challenges for seniors and individuals with disabilities."
Meanwhile, an LH official noted that the Gumi Hwangsang 3 complex is currently installing an elevator, and discussions are ongoing with local governments regarding installations at the Daegu Ansim 1 and 3 complexes. The official added, "We will continue to strive for the convenience of residents and improvements in the housing environment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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