Korea and Other Countries’ Supportive Programs for Semi-Basement Housing and Residents - Focusing on Case Studies and Interviews with US Officials -

The purpose of this study is to examine domestic and foreign codes and regulations regarding semi-basement housing units, and to suggest improvements needed for safe use as housing.Keyword searches from foreign codes and regulations and in-person interviews with HUD officials were conducted.As a result of reviewing the current building and residential codes and regulations of vulnerable housing, focusing on semi-basement housing, the identified problems were related to 1) minimum standards for indoor and outdoor environments that were not suitable for residency and 2) the evacuation and fire safty standards that were difficult to apply to the half-basement units.Above all, considering that semi-basement housing units are vulnerable to flooding and fire, it is urgent to prepare safety-related standards for this type of dwellings.Inclusive and detailed codes and regulations should be established so that these units can serve as safe housing in the future.