Feature 'SaeBit Youth Zone': A Young Suwon Resident's Privilege of Transit-Oriented Living Culture

Can you find a transit-zone officetel with a deposit of 2 million won and monthly rent of 40,000 won or less? Not in a secluded neighborhood, but within a 10-minute walk from a subway station? In Suwon, it's possible. There are actually four officetels meeting similar conditions. It's 'SaeBit Youth Zone,' created as a specialized housing support policy exclusively for Suwon's young people. With youth housing issues becoming a hot topic, this is a model that pools the capabilities of local governments so young people can dream of tomorrow.

◇ A Home with Everything You Need in a Transit Zone

About a 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Suwon City Hall Station on the Bundang Line, a new building (16 Gyeongsu-daero 446beon-gil, Paldal-gu) appears—it's called 'SaeBit Youth Zone Phase 3.' It's a transit-zone officetel whose residents are largely composed of Suwon's young people.

The dedicated space within each unit stands out for its well-organized layout. Though small at 22-25㎡, movable partition walls allow efficient space division. If you separate most of the furniture area with a partial door, you can use the bedroom purely as a rest space with just a bed.

Essential furniture like wardrobes, storage cabinets, drawers, and desks are installed custom-fit for the space, requiring no additional furniture. The entrance has a spacious shoe rack with a full-length mirror attached to the door, making it functional. White interior design emphasizes cleanliness.

The kitchen space comes with most standard appliances built-in, leaving nothing lacking. With two burners—an induction and a halogen—plus a microwave and a spacious sink, you can cook your own meals and reduce living expenses. A 203-liter refrigerator allows ample storage of ingredients and food. A drum washing machine is built-in below the induction cooktop.

It's truly a fully-furnished officetel, yet the rent is surprisingly affordable. For Phase 3, regular young residents start at a 2 million won deposit with 257,550 won monthly rent, while youth welfare recipients can rent starting at a 1 million won deposit with 212,320 won monthly rent. Compared to nearby small officetels' market rates of 10 million won deposit and 600,000-700,000 won monthly rent, this is less than half. With more available funds to increase the deposit, the burden decreases further. If regular young residents increase the deposit to 28.4 million won, the monthly rent drops to 103,550 won; for youth welfare recipients, converting the deposit to a maximum of 22.8 million won lowers it to 85,160 won.

Safety and convenience match general apartment complexes. The first floor has a common space with mailboxes and unmanned parcel boxes, and passing through the shared entrance to use the elevator provides added security. Fire detectors and other safety equipment, as well as smoke vents and other disaster prevention facilities, are thoroughly installed.

Young resident A living at SaeBit Youth Zone Phase 3 said, "Compared to when I lived in a studio before, the deposit is much lower and the rent is affordable too, so the burden has decreased," adding "I'm very satisfied living here not only because of its very close location to the subway station but also because the interior space and facilities are clean."

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

SaeBit Youth Zone is a youth-tailored housing support policy giving Suwon young people move-in opportunities. 70% of total units are prioritized for specialized Suwon youth. Those who have lived in Suwon Human Housing, a housing welfare project for multi-child households in Suwon, or in share house cones for self-reliant youth are given priority when gaining independence. Youth who start businesses in Suwon or young artists are also eligible.

Specialized housing support exclusively for Suwon youth began in earnest from July 2022. Suwon City and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) signed a 'Customized Housing Support Business Agreement for Suwon Youth.' As LH demolished and remodeled aged lodging facilities in transit zones into officetels, Suwon City prioritized their rental to housing-vulnerable youth it selected.

Over the following four years, Suwon added one SaeBit Youth Zone annually. The first SaeBit Youth Zone was established in Gwonseon-dong in 2023. It's in a transit zone 250 meters in a straight line from Exit 3 or 5 of Suwon City Hall Station. A park and commercial district lie between the subway station and the officetel, making it a good neighborhood for younger generations to live in. According to Suwon's specialized criteria, 83 units were prioritized for recruitment, drawing attention with applications from over 700 homeless youth.

In 2024, SaeBit Youth Zone Phase 2 was established near Seryue Station on Sudogwon Metro Line 1, which directly connects to key hubs in Seoul's western region and surrounding cities. It's an ultra-transit-zone officetel less than 100 meters in a straight line from Seryue Station's exit. You can enter the shared entrance by crossing just one road. While recruiting 163 units in 2024, Suwon City opened priority move-in opportunities to victims recommended by agencies like the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Jeonse Damage Support Center.

SaeBit Youth Zone Phase 3, established in Ingye-dong, began recruiting residents last year and moved in this year. While supplying 200 units—the largest recruitment scale yet—it recorded a competitive ratio of 6.7:1, showing strong popularity.

◇ Challenge Phase 4 New Recruitment by the 28th!

Suwon's young people still have the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable life in a new transit-zone officetel. Suwon City accepts applications for Phase 4 SaeBit Youth Zone residents by the 28th. It's an ultra-ultra-transit zone just 50 meters from Suwon City Hall Station's exit. The total number of units supplied is 141. Additionally, 10 vacant units from Phase 1 in Gwonseon-dong whose contracts have ended are being recruited as reserve residents.

Like Phases 1-3 of SaeBit Youth Zone, rental terms are expected to be set very affordably compared to nearby properties of similar location and size. Basic livelihood, medical, and housing allowance recipients pay a 1 million won deposit and 40% of market rent as monthly rent. For non-recipients, a 2 million won deposit is set with 50% of market rent as monthly rent. After the initial 2-year contract, 4 renewals in 2-year units are possible, allowing residence for up to 10 years. Young people can reduce housing-related burdens and worries.

Application eligibility is given to homeless young people aged 19 to 39 with addresses in Suwon. Previously limited to age 34, this recruitment relaxes the age standard to 39, opening opportunities to more youth. Applicants' average monthly income must be 4,576,063 won or less, and they must meet asset criteria: total assets of 251 million won or less and vehicles valued at 45.42 million won or less.

SaeBit Youth Zone residents are selected by total score using point allocation across five categories: low-income status, Suwon residence duration, parents' homeownership status, disability status, and others. Particularly if scores tie, those with earlier Suwon move-in dates are prioritized, favoring young people who have resided longer in Suwon.

By the 28th, apply through Suwon City's citizen participation platform SaeBit TalkTalk, after which Suwon City conducts eligibility verification and announces winners and reserve residents' order on November 20. Subsequently, contract schedules and processes are handled by Korea Land and Housing Corporation. Move-in is expected in early next year.

Suwon City plans to strengthen cooperation with Korea Land and Housing Corporation to increase SaeBit Youth Zone locations by one annually going forward.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "SaeBit Youth Zone is a new model of youth housing welfare created together by Korea Land and Housing Corporation, our 'dream partner,' and Suwon City," and added, "I hope it becomes a 'base camp' for youth where they not just stay temporarily, but nurture dreams and design their lives."