Pre-announcement of relaxed residency rules for senior welfare housing (노인복지주택) — residents may stay with care even if their health declines; comments until November 23
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is pre-announcing, until November 23, an amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Welfare of Older Persons Act that would let senior welfare housing residents keep living there if their health declines, as long as they can live independently with care services.
Key facts
| Residency rule | Residents may stay if they can live independently with services such as long-term care benefits, even if their health changes |
|---|---|
| Residents' council | Formed and run with the consent of a majority or more of residents; can voice opinions on operations |
| Contracted operation | Owners must report when selecting or changing a contracted operator; new obligations for owner-operators |
| Other | New grounds for short-term housing support for discharged patients (halfway house) and support centers for older people living alone |
| Comments | Until November 23 to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Elderly Policy Division or the National Participatory Legislation Center (opinion.lawmaking.go.kr) |
| Contact | Ministry of Health and Welfare Elderly Policy Division 044-202-3459 |
Last checked:
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is pre-announcing a partial amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Welfare of Older Persons Act, aimed at strengthening the rights of senior welfare housing residents, from the 13th to November 23. It establishes grounds for residents to keep living there even if their health changes, as long as they can live independently with services set by the Minister of Health and Welfare, such as long-term care benefits. Residents will be able to form and run a residents' council with the consent of a majority or more, and owners must report when they select or change a contracted operator. Where there is no owner-operator or the owner-operator effectively cannot perform its role, the residents' council may act in that role on a limited basis. Grounds are also created for short-term housing support services for discharged patients (halfway house services) and for comprehensive support centers for older people living alone.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Do I have to leave senior welfare housing if my health gets worse?
The amendment creates grounds for residents to keep living there if they can live independently with services set by the Minister of Health and Welfare, such as long-term care benefits, even if their health changes. It is currently at the pre-announcement stage and will be finalized after public comments are collected.
How can I comment on the amendment?
Submit comments by November 23 to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Elderly Policy Division or the National Participatory Legislation Center (opinion.lawmaking.go.kr).