Seodaemun-gu Expands Emergency Temporary Housing 'Jinggeomdari Jutaek' for Households Facing Housing Crisis

Operating a total of 7 households by adding 5 households from October through an agreement with LH Corporation to the existing 2 households... Planning to operate a total of 12 households next year by receiving 5 households from SH Corporation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) will expand the operation of the emergency temporary housing for households in housing crisis, called ‘Jinggeomdari Housing,’ from the existing 2 units to 7 units starting in October.

The district has been operating ‘Jinggeomdari Housing’ since January 2017 by receiving free support of 2 rental houses owned by LH Korea Land and Housing Corporation within the area.

So far, 11 households and 22 residents who urgently needed a place to live due to issues such as unpaid monthly rent, family breakdown, feng shui disasters, fire, and building hazards have moved in for periods ranging from as short as ten days to as long as about a year, using the housing until they could find a permanent residence.

This year, inquiries and demand for Jinggeomdari Housing increased due to the economic downturn caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), as well as the rainy season and typhoons, but there were difficulties due to the limited number of houses.

Meanwhile, in July this year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced a policy to provide LH purchased rental houses free of charge to local governments nationwide as emergency temporary housing for households in housing crisis.

In line with this government policy, the district recently negotiated with LH and signed an agreement to receive 5 multi-family houses as Jinggeomdari Housing.

Residents of Jinggeomdari Housing are selected through discovery and recommendation by local social welfare centers and community service centers, as well as review by integrated case meetings of the district and neighborhood.

Residents can live for up to one year without paying rent, only covering utility bills and other charges.

The district provides customized welfare resources to Jinggeomdari Housing residents and connects them with the Seodaemun Housing Welfare Center to help them settle stably in public jeonse rental housing or private housing later on.

The LH purchased rental houses supplied to Seodaemun-gu in October must be returned after 2 years.

Preparing for this situation, the district plans to secure housing that can be operated more long-term by signing an agreement with SH Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation at the end of this year to receive 5 urban-style residential houses for a fee.

With this, it is expected that the total number of Jinggeomdari Housing units will expand to 12 by the first half of next year.

Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, emphasized, “In the midst of the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 and natural disasters due to climate change, temporary housing will be a minimum social safety net and an essential housing welfare service.”