[Report] "Emergency Disaster Relief Fund? What Is That?" Homeless People in Support Blind Spots Sigh

Homeless People Mostly Unaware of Emergency Disaster Relief Fund System
Some Unable to Receive Support Due to Unclear Residence or Resident Registration Card Cancellation
Homeless Action Group "Must Ensure Homeless Are Not Excluded from Support Targets"

A homeless person having a meal near Seoul Station Plaza on the afternoon of the 27th. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] "How do I get that?"

On the afternoon of the 27th, homeless people met around Seoul Station Plaza responded in unison to the question "Have you received the emergency disaster relief fund?" by either saying "I don't know about that at all," or expressing doubts such as "Does the government really give money?" and "I have trauma and can't go home. Who would receive it for someone like me?"

Although the government is actively distributing emergency disaster relief funds in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it has been found that there are high barriers to receiving the funds for homeless people.

Many homeless people have different locations for their homeless area and their registered residence, causing difficulties from the application stage. Also, the cancellation of resident registration cards is another factor preventing them from receiving the disaster relief funds.

A homeless man in his 60s, Mr. A, who has been wandering the streets for 17 years after a business failure, raised his voice saying, "Where would a homeless person have a home?" and "Even if I had a home, I don't have a single won right now, so how could I possibly go home?"

He continued, "Everyone living around Seoul Station either has no home or cannot return even if they do," and lamented, "They said all citizens can receive it, but are we not citizens?"

On the afternoon of the 27th, the spot of a homeless person located across from Seoul Station Plaza. Clothes inside a plastic bag are scattered messily. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Mr. B (51), who has been living at Seoul Station for three years this year, said, "My original home is in Busan. I came to Seoul Station to leave far away," adding, "Now Seoul Station is my home, but because of the residence issue, I can't receive the support fund."

He said, "Even those who have homes nearby left without any intention of returning, so would anyone go back home just to receive 400,000 won?" and "Going back to the neighborhood where I lived is a huge psychological burden. Most people here cannot receive the support fund," expressing his frustration.

Mr. C (56), who said he left home 15 years ago, said he did not even know about the emergency disaster relief fund. He questioned, "I don't know what that is," and "I've never even heard of it. Who says they give money?" before quickly leaving.

Mr. D (63), who left home 23 years ago due to business failure, said, "I couldn't receive it because my resident registration card was canceled. They say if I restore it, I can receive it, but if my address is revealed, banks and loan sharks will come looking for me at home," sighing, "I don't have the courage."

He added, "The people helping us (organizations) are trying to make it possible for us to receive it, but even government officials don't know or say it's not possible. How could this work?" and expressed frustration, saying, "They say all citizens get it, but are we not citizens?"

A homeless person met near Seoul Station Plaza on the afternoon of the 27th. He lamented that the emergency disaster relief fund system does not provide explanations for homeless people, and as a result, they are being neglected. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Civil organizations helping the homeless pointed out that there is no consideration for them in the emergency disaster relief fund system. The organizations urged that there should be social interest in the receipt of the support funds.

According to an emergency survey conducted on April 9-10 by activists from homeless human rights organizations such as Homeless Action targeting 102 homeless people who were not eligible for the emergency disaster relief cash support, 77.5% had not applied for local government disaster allowances.

The reasons for not applying were compiled as 'The registered address is far from the current residence' (27%), 'Did not know how to apply' (26%), and 'Registered as residence unknown' (23%), in that order.

A homeless woman in her 60s who has been wandering the streets for eight years said, "I don't understand why there are requirements for disaster funds," and "All street homeless people are struggling to survive day by day," adding, "It's very upsetting that we can't even receive the basic welfare that the government says it provides."

She pleaded, "I hope they help us a little. They say everyone can receive it, so why can't we? Please help us."

A spot set up for a homeless person near Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Yeonju Kim, Intern Reporter yeonju1853@

A homeless man in his 50s nearby said, "I don't know if the complicated procedures can be completed within the application deadline," and "I think we won't get it. Most people here will think it's someone else's problem," he lamented.

Meanwhile, four homeless human rights organizations including the Solidarity for Poverty and Homeless Action held a press conference at Seoul Station Plaza on the 11th, urging the government to improve detailed guidelines so that homeless people are not excluded when distributing emergency disaster relief funds.

The organizations pointed out, "For homeless people who have difficulty using certified certificates, credit/debit cards, or mobile phones, on-site application is the only channel," adding, "However, many cannot apply for the support fund because their homeless area and registered residence are different and they lack transportation expenses."

They explained, "To ensure homeless people are not excluded from the support target, 'visiting application services' should be provided, and cash should be given instead of prepaid cards or local gift certificates."

They reiterated, "In government measures to minimize livelihood threats caused by COVID-19, the poorest homeless people are actually being excluded," and "A plan to guarantee disaster relief funds without discrimination against homeless people must be prepared."