Market reference note: This article covers resources in both Korea and the United States. Each item is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
When a parent's home is aging or the monthly rent is becoming a burden, caregivers typically face two choices: repair the current home, or move them somewhere better. Fortunately, both Korea and the United States have public programs that address each of these two paths. What matters most is understanding which path fits your parents' situation, because eligibility criteria and application channels differ from program to program.
🇰🇷 Korea The repair path: 주거급여 수선유지급여 (Housing Benefit — Repair and Maintenance Grant). As of 2026, 주거급여 (Housing Benefit) is open to households whose income-recognized amount falls at or below 48% of the standard median income, regardless of whether they rent or own. For parents who own their home, repair costs are covered according to the home's level of deterioration: 5,900,000 won for minor repairs, 10,950,000 won for moderate repairs, and 16,010,000 won for major repairs. In addition, households that include an elderly member can receive up to 500,000 won extra toward the installation of accessibility amenities. Because the income-recognized amount includes not only wages but also property converted to an income equivalent, please do not assume you are ineligible just because your parents have no salary income — check first at 복지로 (www.bokjiro.go.kr) or your local 주민센터 (community service center). There is no dependent-obligor (부양의무자) requirement, so a child's income does not affect eligibility.
🇰🇷 Korea The relocation path: 고령자 복지주택 and 행복주택 (LH Happy Housing). For parents who would be better served by moving to a more suitable living environment, the public rental path is available. 고령자 복지주택 (Senior Welfare Housing) targets householders aged 65 or older who do not own a home, and provides public rental units linked with welfare services at below-market rents. The LH 행복주택 (Happy Housing) elderly category is likewise designed for homeless seniors aged 65 or older, offering rents set at 60–80% of market rates for a tenure of up to 20 years. Both types can be searched on LH 청약플러스 (apply.lh.or.kr), where you can apply online or visit a local LH regional office in person. Recipients of 기초생활급여 (National Basic Livelihood Benefit) or 의료급여 (Medical Benefit) may qualify for priority supply, so it is worth confirming your eligibility in advance.
🇺🇸 U.S. The repair path: USDA Section 504. In the United States, low-income homeowners aged 62 or older who live in a rural area may be able to use the USDA Section 504 Home Repair program. The program provides a grant of up to $10,000 for repairs that eliminate health and safety hazards, and when combined with a loan, total assistance can reach up to $50,000. Applications are processed through a local USDA Rural Development office. For urban areas, HUD CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)-linked home repair programs administered by local governments also exist, so contact the housing department of your county for more information.
🇺🇸 U.S. The relocation path: HUD Section 202. The flagship senior-only public rental program in the United States is HUD Section 202 (Supportive Housing for the Elderly). It serves households aged 62 or older whose income is at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and residents pay monthly rent at approximately 30% of their adjusted income at apartment communities operated by nonprofit organizations. The national portfolio comprises approximately 6,300 properties and 400,000 units, but waiting lists can be lengthy. Applications are not submitted to HUD directly; instead, you must apply separately to the management office of each individual property where you wish to live. You can search for Section 202 properties near you using the HUD Resource Locator at resources.hud.gov.
Comparing the two countries' programs reveals a common thread. Korea's 주거급여 and 고령자 복지주택, and the U.S. Section 504 and Section 202, all look at both income and assets together. In Korea, there is no dependent-obligor requirement, so a child's income is irrelevant to eligibility. In the United States, the AMI threshold varies by county, so you must always verify figures based on your specific area of residence. Both countries may involve waiting periods, so applying early — even before a crisis arises — is to your advantage.
Sources: 복지로 (bokjiro.go.kr) Housing Benefit guidance; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and LH 청약플러스 (apply.lh.or.kr) recruitment announcements for 고령자 행복주택 and 복지주택; USDA Rural Development Section 504 Home Repair Program official materials (rd.usda.gov); HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly official program information (hud.gov); information compiled from grantsforseniors.org and lifestepsusa.org, 2026 data.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.