Feature Suwon Youth's Luxury Living: Transit-Oriented Residential Culture 'Saevit Youth Zone'

Is it possible to find a transit-station officetel with a deposit of 2 million won and a monthly rent of 40,000 won or less? Not in a remote neighborhood, but within a 10-minute walk from a subway station? In Suwon, it is possible. There are actually four offitels meeting similar conditions. This is 'Saevit Youth Zone,' a specialized housing support policy created exclusively for Suwon youth. As youth housing has become a pressing issue, this represents a model that brings together local government's capacity to help young people dream of their tomorrow.

◇ A Home With Everything Needed in a Transit-Oriented Location

A five-minute walk from Exit 6 of Bundang Line Suwon City Hall Station brings you to a new building (16 Gyeongsuade-ro 446-gil, Paldal-gu) called 'Saevit Youth Zone No. 3.' It is a transit-oriented officetel where the majority of residents are young people from Suwon.

The private space within each unit caught the eye with its efficient structure. Though modest in size at 22-25 square meters, movable partitions allow flexible space division. Most furniture can be separated by a middle door, making it possible to use the bedroom solely for sleeping and rest.

Essential furniture such as closets, storage cabinets, drawers, and desks are installed in custom-fitted ways, eliminating the need for additional purchases. The entrance features an ample shoe rack with a full-length mirror attached to the shoe rack door, making it functional. The white interior emphasizes cleanliness.

The kitchen is equipped with most household appliances built-in, leaving nothing to want for. With two burners—an induction cooktop and a high-power burner—plus a microwave, and a spacious sink, residents can cook their own meals to reduce living expenses. A 203-liter refrigerator allows ample food storage. A drum washing machine is built-in below the induction cooktop.

Despite being a fully-furnished officetel, the rent is surprisingly affordable. For No. 3, general youth start at a 2-million-won deposit with a monthly rent of 257,550 won, while young recipients of welfare benefits can start at a 1-million-won deposit with 212,320 won monthly rent. Compared to the market rate of surrounding small offitels at around 10-million-won deposits with 600,000-700,000 won monthly rent, this is less than half. Those with financial capacity can further reduce their burden by increasing their deposit. General youth raising the deposit to 28.4 million won can lower monthly rent to 103,550 won, while welfare recipients converting the maximum 22.8-million-won deposit can lower it to 85,160 won.

Safety and convenience are comparable to general apartment buildings. The first floor has a common area with mailboxes and unmanned parcel boxes, and access to elevators requires passing through a shared entrance, alleviating security concerns. Additionally, safety equipment such as fire detectors and fire prevention facilities like smoke evacuation windows are thoroughly installed.

A young resident (Mr. A) at Saevit Youth Zone No. 3 said, "Compared to when I lived in a studio apartment, my deposit is much lower and the rent is also affordable, reducing my burden." He added, "I am very satisfied living here not only because of the very close proximity to the subway station but also because the interior space and facilities are clean."

◇ Suwon Youth-Specialized Customized Housing 'Saevit Youth Zone'

Saevit Youth Zone is a youth-tailored housing support policy that gives Suwon youth housing opportunities. It prioritizes supplying 70% of total recruitable units to Suwon's specialized youth. Priority is given to youth who previously lived in Suwon Human Housing, a housing welfare project for multi-child families in Suwon, or Con ShareHouse for youth preparing for independence, when they move into independent housing. Additionally, youth who start businesses at companies located in Suwon or young artists are also eligible.

Special housing support exclusively for Suwon youth began in earnest in July 2022. This marked the signing of a 'Suwon Youth Customized Housing Support Business Agreement' between Suwon City and Korea Land & Housing Corporation. Korea Land & Housing Corporation demolished and remodeled old lodging facilities in transit-oriented areas into offitels and prioritized leasing them to housing-vulnerable youth selected by Suwon City.

Since then, one new Saevit Youth Zone has been added each year in Suwon over the past four years. The first Saevit Youth Zone was established in Kwonseon-dong in 2023. It is in a transit-oriented area 250 meters in straight-line distance from subway exits No. 3 or 5 of Suwon City Hall Station. Between the subway station and offitelis a park and commercial district, making it an ideal neighborhood for young people. Following Suwon's specialization criteria, 83 units were initially recruited, garnering attention as young homeless people's applications exceeded seven times that number.

In 2024, Saevit Youth Zone No. 2 was established near Seryeo Station on Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1, which directly connects to major hubs in Seoul's western region and surrounding cities. It is an ultra-transit-oriented offitetel just under 100 meters in straight-line distance from Seryeo Station exits. You can enter the shared entrance by crossing just one road. When recruiting 163 units in 2024, Suwon City also opened priority move-in opportunities to victims recommended by institutions such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport or the Jeonse Damage Support Center.

Saevit Youth Zone No. 3 in Ingyedong began recruiting new tenants last year and residents moved in early this year. Despite offering 200 units—the largest recruitment scale—it recorded a competitive rate of 6.7 to 1, indicating its popularity.

◇ Challenge to Join the 4th Location New Recruitment by the 28th!

Suwon youth still have an opportunity to enjoy comfortable living in a new transit-oriented offitetel. Through the 28th, Suwon City is accepting applications for new tenants at the fourth Saevit Youth Zone. It is an ultra-transit-oriented location just 50 meters from Suwon City Hall Station exits. A total of 141 units will be provided. Additionally, 10 vacant units with completed contracts at No. 1 in Kwonseon-dong will also be recruited as backup tenants.

Like Saevit Youth Zone No. 1-3, rental terms are expected to be very affordable compared to similar nearby properties in terms of location and size. Recipients of basic livelihood, medical, or housing assistance can pay a 1-million-won deposit and rent at 40% of market rates. Those not receiving benefits pay a 2-million-won deposit with monthly rent set at 50% of market rates. After an initial two-year contract, four renewals in two-year units are possible, allowing residents to live there for up to 10 years. This helps youth reduce their housing-related burden and worry.

Applicants must be non-property-owning youth aged 19-39 with an address in Suwon City. Previously, the age limit was capped at 34 years, but this recruitment expanded the criterion to 39 years, opening opportunities to more youth. Average monthly income must not exceed 4,576,063 won, and applicants must meet asset criteria: total assets not exceeding 251 million won and vehicles not exceeding 45.42 million won.

Saevit Youth Zone residents are selected by total points through a scoring system for five items: low-income status, Suwon residency period, parents' non-property status, and disability status. Notably, in case of tied scores, those with earlier move-in dates to Suwon receive priority, favoring long-term Suwon residents.

Applications accepted through the 28th via the Suwon City Participation Platform Saevit Talk Talk will undergo qualification verification by Suwon City, with winners and backup tenant rankings announced on November 20. Subsequently, Korea Land & Housing Corporation will manage contract signing schedules and procedures. Move-in is expected to be possible in early next year.

Suwon City plans to strengthen cooperation with Korea Land & Housing Corporation to add one Saevit Youth Zone each year going forward.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "Saevit Youth Zone is a new model of youth housing welfare created together by Korea Land & Housing Corporation and Suwon City—a 'perfect match.'" He added, "I hope it becomes not just a place to pass through, but a 'base camp' for youth to cultivate dreams and design their lives."