Gaps and overlaps in facilities of urban public rental housing for single-person households: the case of Seoul’s happy housing

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the spatial efficiency and functional integration of communal facilities and social infrastructure in public rental housing for single-person households in Seoul. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the spatial efficiency and functional integration of facilities for single-person households in public rental housing in central Seoul. It adopts a broad concept of the residential environment, covering both on-site communal facilities and surrounding social infrastructure within a 10-min walking distance. Findings The results reveal a clear imbalance in facility provision. Convenience and management-related facilities are consistently oversupplied within housing complexes, while essential public-oriented facilities – such as youth welfare, cultural and healthcare services – are markedly underprovided both on-site and in surrounding areas. In addition, functional redundancy is observed in facilities such as community spaces and convenience stores, indicating inefficient spatial use. Research limitations/implications Although based on accessibility indicators and a limited sample, the findings highlight the need to shift from complex-centered facility provision toward integrated, living-zone-based planning. Social implications The study provides insights for improving public rental housing environments and enhancing welfare services for the rapidly growing single-person household population. Originality/value By jointly analyzing on-site communal facilities and off-site social infrastructure, this study offers an integrated perspective largely absent from prior research and highlights redistribution and multifunctional integration as key strategies for improving urban public rental housing.