From 2030, numbers of households as well as the population are expected to decrease in Seoul, Korea. Housing demand is highly likely to decrease as numbers of one-person households and elderly ones increase. In a situation where income has not increased significantly, not only is the supply of new homes necessary, the improvement and renovation of existing housing also become important. Home improvement and renovation can return performances of old houses to their initial ones at the time of building completion. They can also make houses meet social performance requirements. Home improvements can widen consumer choice, lower housing purchase costs and contribute to housing stock management and housing price stability in the long run.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is implementing a Home Repair Program for Hope and a Low-density Neighborhood Home Improvement Program. It has been providing public support for home repairs and improvements for more than 10 years. However, their effectiveness is not so significant. This study reviewed repair and maintenance programs for home improvement and examined home improvement policies and programs in major developed countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom. Based on this, the study presented recommendations for improving home improvement policy and 
programs of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, including whether they should be pursued as a short-term, medium-term, or long-term priority.

In order to prolong lifespan of houses, it is necessary to revise related laws, reset minimum and decent housing standards and operate a home repair and maintenance history management system for all houses. This is a long-term task. The central government needs to come up with a plan. As for a short-term or medium-term task, the Seoul Metropolitan Government needs to promote home improvement programs under clear policy goals and expand direct involvement and participation of experts in operating these programs. The Home Repair Program for Hope and the Housing Maintenance Service for One-person Households need to be integrated into a home repair and maintenance program. Performance-based support (evaluation) criteria for the Low-density Neighborhood Home Improvement Program should be prepared. It is also necessary to unify the operation of programs and establish a housing improvement support center. Material and building specifications (manuals) should be prepared along with enforced compliance to introduce a registration and evaluation system for home improvement companies. It is also necessary to establish and operate a home repair and maintenance history management system.