Gyeonggi-do Takes Responsibility for Single-Person Households... 114.1 Billion Won Invested

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will pilot customized policies reflecting the characteristics and needs of single-person households at different life stages starting this year. This comes as the number of single-person households has recently increased significantly, now accounting for one-quarter of the total population.

On the 20th, Gyeonggi Province announced the "2020 Gyeonggi Province Single-Person Household Support Plan," investing a total of 114.1 billion KRW, including 3.3 billion KRW for policy support projects and 110.8 billion KRW for housing support projects, funded by national, provincial, and city budgets.

According to the support plan, the province will implement 18 tasks across six areas: overcoming loneliness and isolation, improving solo dining through social dining (meal gatherings), supporting independent living, health support, creating a safe living environment, and well-dying support.

First, to overcome loneliness and isolation among single-person households, the province will create communities and support customized programs targeting youth and middle-aged groups to build social networks and social safety nets.

For elderly single-person households living alone, AI speakers will be distributed to provide companionship and music services to alleviate psychological isolation, and a 24-hour emergency response system will be established using Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

A social dining (meal gathering) project will also be promoted to improve 'eating alone' experiences.

The province plans to operate village communal kitchens and dining programs aimed at improving eating habits, and pilot the "Three Meals Happiness Sharing Center" project, which provides high-quality communal meals to single-person households residing in Happy Housing.

For young single-person households, the province will develop and distribute educational content on essential life skills needed for independent living and encourage sharing of infrequently used or expensive household items to support self-reliance.

For socially isolated middle-aged single-person households, a call companion service will be implemented, offering psychological counseling by phone at least twice a week to help emotional stability and prevent solitary deaths.

The province will also create a safe living environment.

IoT-based crime prevention response systems will be established in areas densely populated by female single-person households and regions with high crime rates. For the youth, by 2022, 1,000 youth and dormitory-style purchased rental housing units and 3,136 youth Gyeonggi Happy Housing units will be supplied to provide stable residential spaces.

In particular, to reduce anxiety about dying alone and to allow necessary legal procedures to be handled in advance, 'well-dying' consulting will be supported. Well-dying refers to beautifully organizing the days lived and peacefully concluding life.

Lee Byung-woo, Director of Welfare at the provincial government, said, "Single-person households in the Gyeonggi area account for more than one-quarter of all households, but policy support has been insufficient. We will support them to live well together within the community."