Suwon City Launches Survey and Improvement Plan for Vacant Houses

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City will conduct a survey on the status of vacant houses and establish an improvement plan.

The city plans to systematically manage and improve vacant houses that have emerged as social issues due to safety accidents and crime.

The survey targets an estimated 426 vacant houses that did not have water and electricity charges assessed over the past year. Following on-site investigations to confirm whether properties are actually vacant, they will be registered in the vacant house information system. The city will complete the survey by October and establish and announce an improvement plan by February next year based on the results.

The city plans to consult with property owners to either repair the homes or demolish and rebuild new structures to be used as rental housing or public convenience facilities. If owners agree to public-purpose use, demolition cost support will be provided.

A city official said, "Following the 'Special Act on Improvement of Vacant Houses and Small-scale Housing' enacted in February last year, we have decided to formally promote vacant house improvement projects. We will improve vacant houses to create a safe and pleasant residential environment."