By Kim Bo-eun
Students from provincial areas attending universities in Seoul will have a better option for housing, according to the city.
Seoul city is cooperating with Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province, Taean-gun in South Chungcheong Province and Suncheon City in South Jeolla Province to build and manage dormitories that can accommodate some 200 students from these regions.
It is the first housing project for college students that the city is planning in cooperation with local authorities.
The city said it will expand the project to provide better housing options for students to alleviate their financial difficulties.
It will provide land in western Seoul and local authorities will finance the construction of the facilities, which will have 105 rooms for 210 students. The parties will sign a memorandum of understanding in September.
Lodging costs are expected to be only around 150,000 won per month. This is about a third or a quarter of the costs of regular dormitories at universities or boarding houses that are another popular option for students.
“We will cooperate with the government to increase the number of dormitories for students from provincial areas so that the rate of accommodation of these students can be raised to 30 percent from the current 22 percent,” said a city official.
“The provision of more housing options will alleviate the financial burden of students caused by finding a place to live and also bring stability to the real estate market,” he said.