Abstract
The purpose of this research is to compare residents' movement and activities in SH apartment in Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul (SH apartment) and PHA apartment in St. Paul, Minnesota (PHA apartment) in order to improve the quality of rental housing environment. This study had surveyed 418 residents of SH apartments in Korea and used the secondary data gathered from 1,462 residents of PHA apartments in the United States. The results of this study are as follows: The criteria of Korean residents in SH apartments when choosing their residences are lower rent payment and shorter waiting time. They seemed to have no other options than public rental housing. On the contrary, American residents in PHA apartment had more option to choose from. Therefore, Korea needs to offer more variety types of residents that can be lead to better satisfaction of low income classes. Most of the SH apartments residents has lived for long-term, in the average of more than 6 years, and wanted to live continually at their current dwelling. PHA residents showed similar tendency. However, long term residency may lead to permanent occupation of the public rental apartment by the same family. Hence, a system which can provide equal residency opportunities to all low-income classes need to be developed. Residents of SH apartment were satisfied with the personal activities but were not satisfied with group activities among residents or regarding resident meetings. However, residents of PHA apartments were more satisfied with their management because there is more in-housing-complex activity programs. Therefore, more activity program for a resident should be developed after analysing programs of different apartments and current conditions in Korea. There were some noticeable divergences among residents, based on their age, term of residence and physical, emotional and mental problem, when evaluating in-housing-complex's programs. Thus, these factors are also need to be considered when planning and examining evaluation about the management of rental apartments.
