A Story of Providing Window and Insulation Services to Elderly Homes in Jangwi-dong, Seongbuk-gu for a Warm Winter...

Seongbuk-gu Actively Supports Underprivileged Neighbors in Low Energy Efficiency Housing Such as Old Detached Houses...Energy Efficiency Improvements Including Wall, Window, Insulation, Floor Work, and Boiler Replacement for National Basic Livelihood Security Households, Near-Poverty Class, and Low-Income Families in Welfare Blind Spots

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Elder ㄱ (86) lives alone in Jangwi 2-dong, Seongbuk-gu. Because the old multi-family house does not heat properly during cold waves, he could not bring himself to leave his blanket. The situation was similar during heat waves. The house turned into a steam chamber, forcing him to move between senior centers and heat shelters.

However, now the elder’s home is warm in winter and cool in summer.

This is because, through the energy efficiency improvement project conducted by Seongbuk-gu, he received support not only for windows, insulation, wallpapering, and mold removal but also for cooling equipment.

Last year, Seongbuk-gu supported 105 households, including elder ㄱ’s (86) home, through the energy efficiency improvement project, enabling them to spend warm winters and cool summers.

Seongbuk-gu’s energy efficiency improvement project supports marginalized neighbors living in residential environments with poor energy efficiency, such as old houses. The project includes construction to improve energy efficiency such as insulation of walls, windows, boilers, window and floor work, and boiler replacement, as well as distribution of energy-saving cooling and heating devices like window-type and wall-mounted air conditioners to prepare for the possibility of frequent heat waves. The beneficiaries include households receiving basic national livelihood security, lower-income groups, and low-income households in welfare blind spots.

Elder ㄱ (86) of Jangwi 2-dong said, “My home is the only place to rest my body, but it was cold in winter and hot in summer, so I had to move between senior centers and welfare centers from early morning.” He added, “Last year, because of COVID-19, all senior centers and welfare centers were closed, but thanks to the district office repairing my home, spending time at home was not difficult.”

Due to high satisfaction from beneficiaries, Seongbuk-gu is also making thorough efforts for the 2021 energy efficiency improvement project. When newly designating basic livelihood security households and lower-income groups, prior guidance is provided, and resident centers and neighborhood representatives familiar with local conditions cooperate to identify beneficiaries.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, stated, “Although the project was conducted with the goal of improving energy welfare for marginalized neighbors, the improvement of residential environments has greatly contributed to social distancing efforts during COVID-19. We are doing our best in 2021 to identify and expand beneficiaries.”

Energy efficiency improvement project site including window installation, insulation, wallpapering, and mold removal conducted at the home of an elderly resident (86) in Jangwi 2-dong.