LH Supports Disaster-Affected Households Using Rental Housing

Hope Bridge Collaborates with Fire Agency to Establish 8 Disaster Relief Facilities Nationwide
Residents Can Stay Up to One Month Free of Deposit and Rent
Plans to Open 10 Locations in Capital and Metropolitan Areas This Year, Expanding to 100 Sites in Future

Interior view and supplies of the disaster relief facility at Yongin National Rental Complex / Provided by LH.

Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) announced that it will establish eight disaster relief facilities for households affected by disasters such as fires, in collaboration with Hope Bridge (National Disaster Relief Association), and plans to begin full-scale operation from October.

The disaster relief facilities are temporary housing facilities for residents who urgently need new living spaces due to disasters such as fires or earthquakes in LH rental housing. These facilities are prepared by utilizing vacant rental housing units with a net area of 40㎡ (two-room) or larger.

Since establishing the first disaster relief facility in August at the Gyeonggi Yongin National Rental Complex, LH and Hope Bridge have installed eight facilities nationwide to date. These locations are equipped with various household appliances and cooking utensils suitable for a family of four to ensure that disaster-affected households can move in and live without inconvenience. The disaster relief facilities are provided free of charge without any separate deposit or rent, and residents only need to pay utility fees such as electricity. The maximum stay is up to one month.

LH, together with Hope Bridge, also cooperates with the Fire Agency to provide multi-faceted support for disaster-affected households, including relief kits composed of daily necessities, living support funds (300,000 to 500,000 KRW), and psychological counseling programs. To this end, LH allocates 100 million KRW annually to prepare living support funds and relief kits and to establish disaster relief facilities. In the event of fires in rental housing, LH also recommends candidates for facility residency.

Hope Bridge manages and operates the disaster relief facilities and delivers relief funds and relief kits to the recipients, while the Fire Agency recommends general disaster-affected households to move into the disaster relief facilities and is responsible for safety education for disaster prevention and response.

Furthermore, LH plans to expand the installation of disaster relief facilities. This year, a total of 10 facilities will be opened in the metropolitan area and major cities, with plans to expand to 100 facilities in the future. The support target will also be broadened from LH rental housing residents affected by disasters to general disaster-affected households. Residents will be given priority support, but general households will also be supported if necessary.

Ha Seung-ho, Head of LH Housing Welfare Headquarters, said, "This project is significant in that it has established a housing safety net for households that find normal residential life difficult due to sudden disasters," adding, "We will continue to actively strive not only to supply rental housing but also to create social value."